Fully Automated Analysis of Parasitic Egg Cells in Faecal Preparations

在发展中国家的放牧牲畜、家养宠物和人类中发现并有针对性地控制寄生虫越来越受到全世界的关注，因为驱虫药的耐药性，因此无效。这项建议旨在为细胞学样本建立一个自动化、便携式数字分析仪的原型，与基于云的数字图像增强相结合，将提供足够丰富的详细数据，以便对粪便样本中存在的蠕虫卵细胞进行自动机器计数。这样的设备具有价格实惠、使用简单、坚固耐用和紧凑的前景。自动粪便蛋计数将导致更高效的动物产品生产，减少牲畜的温室气体排放，并使整个社会受益于更可持续、更符合道德和更安全的食品生产。牛、绵羊、山羊、猪、马、家养宠物以及潜在的人类将受益于健康和福利的改善。

The detection and hence targeted control of parasitic worms in grazing livestock, domestic pets and humans in developing countries is of increasing worldwide interest as anthelmintic drug resistance and hence ineffectiveness takes hold. This proposal aims to prototype an automated, portable digital analyser for cytological samples which, in conjunction with cloud based digital image enhancement will provide data sufficiently rich in detail to allow automated machine counting of worm egg cells present in a faecal sample. Such a device has the prospect of being affordable, simple to use, rugged and compact. Automated faecal egg counts will lead to more efficient production of animal products, attenuation of greenhouse gas emissions by livestock, and benefit society at large from more sustainable, ethical and secure food production. Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, domestic pets and potentially humans will benefit from improved health and welfare.