In this research, we report on the performance of automated optical digital detection and quantification of Schistosoma haematobium provided by AiDx NTDx multi-diagnostic Assist microscope. Our study was community-based, and a convenient sampling method was used in 17 communities in Abuja Nigeria, based on the disease prevalence information extracted from the baseline database on schistosomiasis, NTD Division, of the Federal Ministry of Health. At baseline, samples from 869 participants were evaluated of which 358 (34.1%) tested S. haematobium positive by the reference diagnostic standard. Registered images from the fully automated (autofocusing, scanning, image registration and processing, AI image analysis and automatic parasite count) AiDx assist microscope were analyzed. The Semi automated (autofocusing, scanning, image registration & processing and manual parasite count) and the fully automated AiDx Assist showed comparable sensitivities and specificities of [90.3%, 98%] and [89%, 99%] respectively. Overall, estimated egg counts of the semi-automated & fully automated AiDx Assist correlated significantly with the egg counts of conventional microscopy (r = 0.93, p ≤ 0.001 and r = 0.89, p ≤ 0.001 respectively). The AiDx Assist device performance is consistent with requirement of the World Health Organization diagnostic target product profile for monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance of Schistosomiasis elimination Programs.@en

To achieve the WHO’s goal of sustained elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis disease, there is the need for accurate diagnostic device especially in areas of low-intensity infections. This project, which is a collaboration of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), AiDx and funded by THE END FUND is exploring the performance capacity of the novel AiDx_NTDx Assist automated microscope in the detection of microfilaria – Wuchereria bancrofti in prepared blood samples (glass slides) using standard microscopy as a reference. The prevalence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria in blood was assessed using automated Image based microscopy analysis for the detection of microfilariae in prepared blood smears. 1250 people in four LGAs of Ogun state, Nigeria participated in this study. All prepared blood samples analyzed by both expert manual microscopy and the AiDx NTDx Assist results showed that none of the 1250 participants samples analyzed had any presence of W. bancrofti microfilariae in their blood. Since no positive samples was detected by the reference test and the AiDx NTDx Assist, it was impossible to estimate the sensitivity of the device. However, based on the negative results obtained, the AiDx NTDx Assist showed a specificity of 100%, an accuracy of 100% and a Negative Predictive Value of 100%. Despite the baseline report obtained from the National data base of the ministry of health, indicating the prevalence of 10%, 8.2%, 4.2% and 4% in the four local government areas where samples were collected, we were not able to find a participant with detectable microfilaria. Evaluation of the AiDx NTDx Assist device shows direct correlation with the expert manual microscopy. Although samples were taken in remote/rural areas of some of the LGA, e.g., Adodo Ota, result obtained however suggest a deviation from baseline and reality. This may be due to previous MDA undertaken in 2018 as reported by the state NTD officers. Further, thorough reassessment is therefore recommended .@en