Mobile, Phone-Based Microscopes Work Well in the Field with Minimal Training

Handheld, mobile phone-based microscopes can be used in developing countries after minimal training of community laboratory technicians to diagnose intestinal parasites quickly and accurately.
 
A first of its kind, community-based study carried out in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa found that two different handheld microscopes could both effectively rule in individuals infected by parasites—important in allocating resources for public health screening—but varied in their sensitivity to detect all cases of an illness, in comparison to a conventional laboratory microscope. The study entitled, “Accuracy of Mobile Phone and Handheld Light Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Protozoa Infections in Côte d’Ivoire,” is published online in the open access journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases on June 27, 2016.
 
“We wanted to know if we could put these portable field microscopes into the hands of individuals who would use them in day-to-day settings, and whether they would be effective. We wanted to see how they would work in real-world situations where there are few labs,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, senior author and physician in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network.
 
Intestinal worms affect almost two billion people worldwide, predominantly in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water. In children, these parasites may lead to malnutrition, stunted growth and development and can lead to chronic disability, with serious health and economic consequences.
 

Microscopes are vital in the diagnosis and surveillance of many of these parasitic infections, and are a staple in every clinical and public health lab worldwide – except in developing countries where these parasitic infections are common.
 
Dr. Bogoch and his team tested two portable handheld microscopes: a commercial Newton Nm1 microscope and a mobile phone-based CellScope—essentially a smartphone with a special custom-fitted lens attached over the camera and light source, developed by University of California engineers—to detect intestinal parasites.
 
Local laboratory technicians were trained to operate the two handheld microscopes. In total, the technicians examined stool and urine samples from 226 individuals for the detection of parasites. The accuracy of all slides was evaluated by all microscopes: the two handheld devices, as well as a conventional, “gold” standard microscope.
 
The two handheld microscopes were very good at ruling in infections, and the Newton portable microscope was able to detect even very low-burden infections. The CellScope missed some low-burden infections, however newer iterations of this device are currently being tested to increase its sensitivity.
 
“It was heart-warming to see how well and easily these portable, handheld field microscopes were adopted and used in a rural setting,” said Dr. Bogoch, who is also a Clinical Researcher at the Toronto General Research Institute (TGRI). “This will help us map out the areas of greatest need.”
 
He adds that novel diagnostic approaches for common parasitic infections could have a profound impact on care of patients, as well as on public health approaches to screening in resource-poor areas.
 
Accurate, portable, battery-powered microscopes which can deliver quality diagnostics to the poorest of the poor in underserviced areas can significantly ease the severe burden of infectious diseases, said Dr. Bogoch.