Abstract
We demonstrate a compact portable imaging system for the detection of waterborne parasites in resource-limited settings. The previously demonstrated sub-pixel sweeping microscopy (SPSM) technique is a lens-less imaging scheme that can achieve high-resolution (<1 µm) bright-field imaging over a large field-of-view (5.7 mm×4.3 mm). A chip-scale microscope system, based on the SPSM technique, can be used for automated and high-throughput imaging of protozoan parasite cysts for the effective diagnosis of waterborne enteric parasite infection. We successfully imaged and identified three major types of enteric parasite cysts, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba, which can be found in fecal samples from infected patients. We believe that this compact imaging system can serve well as a diagnostic device in challenging environments, such as rural settings or emergency outbreaks.
Highlights
Waterborne protozoan parasite infections occur worldwide and pose a public health risk in both developed and developing countries [1,2]. Outbreaks of these diseases are typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route in association with contamination of drinking water and food and poor sanitation at recreational water venues [2]
Rapid and accurate identification of the infection is important for the effective treatment and management of disease transmission
Direct or concentrated stool smears are stained and examined under a microscope to identify the parasites in their cyst forms
Summary
Waterborne protozoan parasite infections occur worldwide and pose a public health risk in both developed and developing countries [1,2]. Outbreaks of these diseases are typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route in association with contamination of drinking water and food and poor sanitation at recreational water venues [2]. Tests based on PCR or antigen detection techniques can be more reliable [3], but involve specialized laboratories (medium-sized clinical facilities) with advanced equipment, and are unsuitable for field settings. In rural settings or emergency outbreak scenarios, imaging-based tests can still be a reliable and cost-effective solution for rapid diagnosis, provided that the imaging device and the screening process can be miniaturized and simplified
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