AI Tool Accelerates Diagnosis of Rare Immune Disorders

Researchers from VIB and UGent, in collaboration with clinical specialists at UZ Gent, have developed an innovative AI tool designed to accelerate the diagnosis of rare immune disorders. This advanced technology analyzes intricate laboratory data, enabling physicians to reach quicker and more accurate diagnoses.

The role of AI is crucial for tackling rare diseases, as medical professionals encounter these conditions infrequently. Consequently, it can be challenging to identify them. This technology extracts patterns from data that may elude human observation.

Primary immune deficiencies are uncommon disorders where the body’s immune system fails to operate effectively. Certain types, like severe combined immune deficiency, can pose life-threatening risks if not diagnosed promptly. The process of diagnosis is often complex and heavily relies on specialized knowledge.

“This tool will enable us to critically assess the results and responsibly incorporate them into clinical decision-making.”

The newly developed AI tool, named PIDgeon, automates a significant section of this analytical process. It evaluates standardized data obtained from flow cytometry studies, identifies irregularities in immune cells, and proposes potential disease scenarios. Furthermore, it produces interpretable reports, allowing doctors to understand the foundations of the analysis.

“The explainability of this system is crucial,” emphasizes Professor Carolien Bonroy, a clinical biologist at Ghent University Hospital. “It will enable us to critically evaluate the findings and responsibly incorporate them into clinical decision-making. We are eager to implement it in practice.”

This technology was validated using data from nearly 1,000 patients across various European centers. Results indicate that the tool exhibits high accuracy, with heightened sensitivity in detecting severe abnormalities within T cells present in the blood.

According to the researchers, this application is intended to serve as a support tool for medical professionals. It aims to expedite diagnoses and prioritize urgent cases without substituting the expertise of doctors. Currently, PIDgeon is not available for clinical use.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO VIB / INE DEHANDSCHUTTER}

Related news