ERUDIT-Workshop
Fuzzy Diagnostic and Therapeutic Decision Support
11–12 May 2000, Vienna, Austria
Dieter Kopecky1, Michael Hayde2, Klaus-Peter Adlassnig1, Andrea-Romana Prusa2, and Birgit Panzenböck2
1Department of Medical Computer Sciences, Section on Medical Expert and Knowledge-Based Systems
University of Vienna Medical School, Spitalgasse 23, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
e-mail: dieter.kopecky@akh-wien.ac.at
2Division of Neonatology and Intensive Care
University of Vienna Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Abstract. Transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from an infected, pregnant woman to the unborn that occurs with a probability of about 60 percent [1] results in fetal damage to a degree depending on the gestational age. The computer system ToxoNet processes the results of serological antibody tests performed during pregnancy by means of a knowledge base containing structured medical knowledge on how to interpret toxoplasmosis serology tests. By applying this knowledge, ToxoNet generates interpretive reports consisting of a diagnostic interpretation and recommendations for therapy and proposals for further testing. For that purpose, it matches the results of all serological investigations of maternal blood with the content of the knowledge base returning complete textual interpretations for all given findings. The concluded stage of maternal infection is used to infer the degree of fetal threat. In order to consider varying immune responses of particular patients, certain time intervals have to be kept between two subsequent tests to guarantee a correct interpretation of the test results. These time intervals are modelled as fuzzy sets, since they allow the formal description of temporal vagueness. ToxoNet comprises the knowledge base, an interpretation system, and a program for the definition and modification of the knowledge base and is available through the World Wide Web. Thus ToxoNet supports the physician in toxoplasmosis diagnostics and, in addition, allows to adopt the way of making decisions to the characteristics of the particular laboratory by modifying the underlying knowledge base.
Reference:
[1] Salmon, R.L. (1988) Screening for Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy. Lancet 336, 1017-1018.
(In: Adlassnig, K.-P. (ed.) Fuzzy Diagnostic and Therapeutic Decision Support. Proc. of the ERUDIT Workshop, Österreichische Computer Gesellschaft, Vienna, p.171.)