title: On-chip imaging of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine for diagnosis by computer vision.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microscopy, being relatively easy to perform at low cost, is the universal diagnostic method for detection of most globally important parasitic infections. As quality control is hard to maintain, misdiagnosis is common, which affects both estimates of parasite burdens and patient care. Novel techniques for high-resolution imaging and image transfer over data networks may offer solutions to these problems through provision of education, quality assurance and diagnostics. Imaging can be done directly on image sensor chips, a technique possible to exploit commercially for the development of inexpensive "mini-microscopes". Images can be transferred for analysis both visually and by computer vision both at point-of-care and at remote locations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we describe imaging of helminth eggs using mini-microscopes constructed from webcams and mobile phone cameras. The results show that an inexpensive webcam, stripped off its optics to allow direct application of the test sample on the exposed surface of the sensor, yields images of Schistosoma haematobium eggs, which can be identified visually. Using a highly specific image pattern recognition algorithm, 4 out of 5 eggs observed visually could be identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As proof of concept we show that an inexpensive imaging device, such as a webcam, may be easily modified into a microscope, for the detection of helminth eggs based on on-chip imaging. Furthermore, algorithms for helminth egg detection by machine vision can be generated for automated diagnostics. The results can be exploited for constructing simple imaging devices for low-cost diagnostics of urogenital schistosomiasis and other neglected tropical infectious diseases.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Ewert
authors: E
authors: Linder
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Grote
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Varjo
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Linder
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Lebbad
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Lundin
authors: Vinod
authors: V
authors: Diwan
authors: Jari
authors: J
authors: Hannuksela
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Lundin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology*