Automatic classification of chromosomes as part of a routine system for clinical analysis

• Published in: Cytometry (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Lundsteen, Claes, Gerdes, Tommy, Maahr, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.01.1986; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Amniotic Fluid - analysis; Autoanalysis; Automatic; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Cells - analysis; Chromosome Banding - methods; chromosomes; Chromosomes, Human - classification; classification; Computers; Cytogenetics; Diagnostic Errors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Human; Humans; karyotyping; Karyotyping - methods; Mathematics; Metaphase; Chromosomal aberration; Human; Cytogenetics; Chromosome; Technique; Karyotype; Automatic; Chromosome G banding
• ISSN: 0196-4763; 1097-0320
• DOI: 10.1002/cyto.990070102

A procedure for automatic classification of G‐banded human chromosomes has been implemented on a semiautomated system for routine clinical analysis. Chromosomes represented by their density profiles are described by so‐called weighted density distribution (WDDs) by application of a number of weighting functions and classified by a parametric discriminant analysis. During 16 mo of routine use of the system, 2,794 metaphases (127,925 chromosomes) from amniotic fluid have been karyotyped by the system with an error rate of 8–9%. This corresponds to 4–5 errors per metaphase. These errors can immediately be corrected by the operator on a displayed karyogram with a light pen.