ANCA-Tutor: a program that teaches interpretation of an immunofluorescence assay

The microscope-based immunofluorescence assay for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) is used in the evaluation of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and related forms of vasculitis. We developed an interactive personal computer program, ANCA-Tutor, that introduces users to the assay and examines their understanding of the test. The program runs under Microsoft Windows and is based on processed digital images of human neutrophils stained in a standard immunofluorescence test. The images contain descriptive text overlays. The program contains a library of reference images and strategies for distinguishing between staining patterns.