The utilization of some methods of automatic classification for the determination of leucocyte groups

Some of the many techniques of automatic classification particularly suitable to determine 'tissular groups' are described. When a tissue or an organ is to be transplanted from an individual to another one, the most compatible individual, i.e. presenting the fewest histocompatibility differences with the 'receiver' has to be found among a group of possible 'donors'. Such a determination may use serological techniques much similar to those used for blood grouping, antigen-antibody serous reactions leading to positive or negative reactions accordingly. Sera should therefore be classified according to their response in a large enough number of individuals. Each group of sera will define one or more antigenic specificities and conversely each group of identical individuals will define one or more antibodies. WILLIAMS and LAMBERT's method seems particularly well suited to classify either individuals or sera. Both ROUX and SOKAL and MICHENER's more conventional methods which can be applied whatever the structure of the data, are also studied. (author)