EpHLA software: a timesaving and accurate tool for improving identification of acceptable mismatches for clinical purposes.
The HLAMatchmaker algorithm, which allows the identification of “safe” acceptable mismatches (AMMs) for recipients of solid organ and cell allografts, is rarely used in part due to the difficulty in using it in the current Excel format. The automation of this algorithm may universalize its use to benefit the allocation of allografts. Recently, we have developed a new software called EpHLA, which is the first computer program automating the use of the HLAMatchmaker algorithm. Herein, we present the experimental validation of the EpHLA program by showing the time efficiency and the quality of operation. The same results, obtained by a single antigen bead assay with sera from 10 sensitized patients waiting for kidney transplants, were analyzed either by conventional HLAMatchmaker or by automated EpHLA method. Users testing these two methods were asked to record: (i) time required for completion of the analysis (in minutes); (ii) number of eplets obtained for class I and class II HLA molecules; (iii) categorization of eplets as reactive or non-reactive based on the MFI cutoff value; and (iv) determination of AMMs based on eplets' reactivities. We showed that although both methods had similar accuracy, the automated EpHLA method was over 8 times faster in comparison to the conventional HLAMatchmaker method. In particular the EpHLA software was faster and more reliable but equally accurate as the conventional method to define AMMs for allografts.


CONCLUSIONS
The EpHLA software is an accurate and quick method for the identification of AMMs and thus it may be a very useful tool in the decision-making process of organ allocation for highly sensitized patients as well as in many other applications.
Immunogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Campus Ministro Petrônio Portela SG-16, Teresina, PI, CEP: 64049-550, Brazil.
Herton Luiz Alves Sales
HL
Filho
Luiz Claudio Demes
LC
da Mata Sousa
Cristina de Queiroz Carrascosa
Cde Q
von Glehn
Adalberto Socorro
AS
da Silva
Pedro de Alcântara
Pde A
dos Santos Neto
Ferraz
F
do Nascimento
Adail Fonseca
AF
de Castro
Liliane Machado
LM
do Nascimento
Carolina
C
Kneib
Helena
H
Bianchi Cazarote
Daniele
D
Mayumi Kitamura
Juliane Roberta Dias
JR
Torres
Laiane
L
da Cruz Lopes
Aryela Loureiro
AL
Barros
Evelin Nildiane
EN
da Silva Edlin
Fernanda Sá Leal
FS
de Moura
Janine Midori Figueiredo
JM
Watanabe
Semiramis Jamil Hadad
SJ
do Monte
D000465:Algorithms; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D058996:Quality Improvement; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors
D006680:HLA Antigens