An automated slide scanning system for membrane filter imaging in diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis

Traditionally, automated slide scanning involves capturing a rectangular grid of field-of-view (FoV) images which can be stitched together to create whole slide images, while the autofocusing algorithm captures a focal stack of images<br/>to determine the best in-focus image. However, these methods can be timeconsuming due to the need for X-, Y-...

Developing inclusive digital health diagnostic for schistosomiasis: a need for guidance via target product profiles

IntroductionThe INSPIRED project aims to develop inclusive Digital Optical Diagnostic Devices (DODDs) for schistosomiasis, to support disease management by enabling rapid diagnostic results, to improve efficient data management to guide decision-making and to provide healthcare workers with critical health information to facilitate follow-up...

Image-Based Awareness Campaign and Community Mobilization in the Control of Schistosomiasis

Community awareness and participation in mass screening is critical for schistosomiasis control. This study assessed the impact of sharing anonymized image-based positive test results on the uptake of screening during community mobilization outreach. We conducted an observational study to compare the population response to standard and image...

Two-stage automated diagnosis framework for urogenital schistosomiasis in microscopy images from low-resource settings

Purpose: Automated diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis using digital microscopy images of urine slides is an essential step toward the elimination of schistosomiasis as a disease of public health concern in Sub-Saharan African countries. We create a robust image dataset of urine samples obtained from field settings and develop a two-stage...

A review on innovative optical devices for the diagnosis of human soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis: From research and development to commercialisation: from research and development to commercialization

Diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and schistosome infections relies largely on conventional microscopy which has limited sensitivity, requires highly trained personnel and is error-prone. Rapid advances in miniaturization of optical systems, sensors and processors have enhanced research and development of digital and automated...

Rethinking the Top-Down Approach to Schistosomiasis Control and Elimination in Sub-Saharan Africa

The control and elimination of schistosomiasis have over the last two decades involved several strategies, with the current strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO)<br/>focusing mainly on treatment with praziquantel during mass drug administration (MDA). However, the disease context is complex with an interplay of social, economic,...

Large volume holographic imaging for biological sample analysis

Significance: Particle field holography is a versatile technique to determine the size and distribution of moving or stationary particles in air or in a liquid without significant disturbance of the sample volume. Although this technique is applied in biological sample analysis, it is limited to small sample volumes, thus increasing the number...

A stakeholder analysis of schistosomiasis diagnostic landscape in South-West Nigeria: Insights for diagnostics co-creation

Background: Schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases, is a water-based parasitic disease of public health importance. Currently, tests for Schistosoma haematobium infection either demonstrate poor specificity, are expensive or too laborious for use in endemic countries, creating a need for more sensitive, cheaper, and easy to use...

Target product profiles for devices to diagnose urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a treatable and preventable neglected tropical disease of Public Health importance affecting over 200 million people worldwide while Nigeria is one of the high burden countries. Currently, available diagnostic tests are cumbersome, low in sensitivity and not field-adaptable given the high skills required that are not available...

The embodiment of low-field MRI for the diagnosis of infant hydrocephalus in Uganda

Compared to other parts of the world, the incidence of hydrocephalus in children is very high in sub- Saharan Africa. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be the preferred diagnostic method for infant hydrocephaleus. However, in practice, MRI is seldom used in sub-Saharan Africa due to its high prize, low mobility, and...

Improving access to diagnostics for schistosomiasis case management in oyo state, Nigeria: Barriers and opportunities

Schistosomiasis is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases that affects over 200 million people worldwide, of which 29million people in Nigeria. The principal strategy for schistosomiasis in Nigeria is a control and elimination program which comprises a school-based Mass Drug Administration (MDA)with limitations of high re-infection rates and...