Due to the high specificity of the results, indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) are still one of the most widely used diagnostic tools in autoimmunity. However, the challenges of processing these assays, in particular minimising manual effort and turnaround time while maintaining result specificity and quality, are constantly increasing.
Fully automated processing using the UNIQO 160…
EUROIMMUN not only produces IFA based on BIOCHIPs, but also (further) develops the corresponding automation solutions. The fully automated UNIQO 160, launched in 2023, allows IFA processing on a single system. Manual transfer from pipetting or incubation systems to the microscope is no longer necessary, which increases flexibility, saves more time and significantly reduces hands-on time. The primary samples are loaded directly into the UNIQO 160 and the system performs all further steps, including barcode reading, dilution, incubation, washing, mounting, microscopy and image acquisition. Up to 160 patient samples and 18 slides can be analysed in one run. The integrated mounting function optimally protects the incubated slides from drying out, ensuring high image quality even at high sample throughput. The fluorescence images, including all the data required for evaluation and tracking, are automatically transferred by the UNIQO 160 to the laboratory management software EUROLabOffice 4.0 for secure archiving.
…and easy evaluation with the EUROPattern Classifier
The software EUROPattern Classifier, which is a EUROLabOffice 4.0 module, supports the analysis of IFA data. The deep convolutional neural networks contained therein are an AI method and are intensively trained during software development. The algorithm is then able to quickly and reliably classify fluorescence patterns and to generate result proposals, including titer calculation. The ability for the user to batch-verify negative result proposals provides additional time savings. The classic applications such as ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) and ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) diagnostics, as well as diagnostics of autoimmune liver diseases or using antigen-expressing cells, have been expanded to include additional substrates for this year’s EUROPattern Classifier release 2.4. The combination BIOCHIP based on HEp-2 cells and granulocytes now allows targeted differentiation of ANA and cytoplasmic antibodies. Another highly relevant area of application is the auxiliary diagnostics of coeliac disease (autoimmune gluten-sensitive enteropathy) through the identification of antibodies against endomysium.
Discover our test portfolio for the UNIQO 160 including the most important information on the classifiability with the EUROPattern Classifier and all available substrates and parameters here.
Find out more in our latest journal articles on this topic:
Complete IFA automation with AI-enhanced evaluation
AI-enhanced evaluation software for immunofluorescence microscopy