Abstract
The feasibility of automating the decision-making tasks of the human observer in the microscopic determination of Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption test results was investigated. An argon-ion laser scanner-optical pattern recognition computer instrument was utilized. The results indicate that the use of area, perimeter and (perimeter)2/area parameters allows the identification of Treponema pallidum as distinguished from other, nonspecific fluorescing objects. It was concluded that complete automation of the Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption test is feasible with existing technology.