title: Detection of fungal hyphae using smartphone and pocket magnifier: going cellular.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to detect fungal hyphae in a corneal scraping sample using a cost-effective assembly of smartphone and pocket magnifier.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case report, a tissue sample was obtained by conventional corneal scraping from a clinically suspicious case of mycotic keratitis. The smear was stained with Gram stain, and a 10% potassium hydroxide mount was prepared. It was imaged using a smartphone coupled with a compact pocket magnifier and integrated light-emitting diode assembly at point-of-care. Photographs of multiple sections of slides were viewed using smartphone screen and pinch-to-zoom function. The same slides were subsequently screened under a light microscope by an experienced microbiologist. The scraping from the ulcer was also inoculated on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smartphone-based digital imaging revealed the presence of gram-positive organism with hyphae. Examination under a light microscope also yielded similar findings. Fusarium was cultured from the corneal scraping, confirming the diagnosis of mycotic keratitis. The patient responded to topical 5% natamycin therapy, with resolution of the ulcer after 4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smartphones can be successfully used as novel point-of-care, cost-effective, reliable microscopic screening tools.
authors.affiliation: *Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; and †Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Tushar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bandivadekar
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Satpathy
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Jeewan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Titiyal
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D060585:Fusariosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult