PHO Microbiology Rounds: Welcome to the Machine (Learning)

Diagnostic parasitology has long suffered from stagnation of the methodology available to the average clinical laboratory. For the most part, the microscope still serves as the primary detection modality, with antigen and molecular testing only filling a small gap in the testing repertoire. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms have shown value in various disciplines of pathology, with diagnostic parasitology actually leading the field within microbiology. This PHO Microbiology Rounds will explore three such advents of AI in clinical parasitology that are in use or in development. Applications include the trichrome stain, modified acid-fast stain, and the wet mount examination, each for stool preparations. We will demonstrate how these advances can improve workflows as well as the sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites.

Intended audience: Microbiologists, laboratory scientists, infectious disease physicians, researchers, Public Health Unit (PHU) staff who work in data and planning

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By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the microscopic approach to parasite detection
• Review the application of AI for stool parasites using permanent stains
• Recognize the workflow and development for wet-mount examination using digital imaging and AI

About the presenter: Marc Couturier, PhD, D(ABMM)

Dr. Marc Couturier is the medical director of Parasitology and Fecal Testing, Infectious Disease Rapid Testing, and Emerging Public Health Crises at ARUP Laboratories and a Professor of Pathology at the University Of Utah School Of Medicine. He received his PhD in medical microbiology and immunology with specialty in bacteriology from the University of Alberta and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Alberta Provincial Laboratory for Public Health prior to completing a medical microbiology fellowship at the University of Utah. Dr. Couturier is interested in parasite diagnostics, enteric diarrheal illnesses, and improving the sensitivity of their diagnosis, in particular, emerging and underappreciated agents of diarrhea.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

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This event will be recorded. A copy of the recording will be published to PHO’s website to facilitate education and knowledge transfer.

Accreditation

PHO Rounds are approved for continuing medical education from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. PHO Rounds are also approved by Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). For more information, contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

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Accessibility

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