High Sensitivity of Mobile Phone Microscopy Screening for Schistosoma haematobium in Azaguié, Côte d'Ivoire

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Dec 12;108(1):41-43. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0527. Print 2023 Jan 11.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis infections continue to impact African settings disproportionately, and there is an urgent need for novel tools to evaluate infection control and elimination strategies at the community level. Mobile phone microscopes are portable and semiautomated devices with multiple applications for screening neglected tropical diseases. In a community-based schistosomiasis screening program in Azaguié, Côte d'Ivoire, mobile phone microscopy demonstrated a sensitivity of 85.7% (95% CI: 69.7-95.2%) and specificity of 93.3% (95% CI: 87.7-96.9%) for Schistosoma haematobium identification compared with conventional light microscopy, and 95% sensitivity (95% CI: 74.1-99.8%) with egg concentrations of five or more per 10 mL of urine. Mobile phone microscopy is a promising tool for schistosomiasis control and elimination efforts.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Phone*
  • Cote d'Ivoire / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Microscopy
  • Schistosoma haematobium
  • Schistosomiasis* / diagnosis