In a significant development for public health laboratories, a validation study by the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory (CCPHL) on Techcyte’s AI-assisted ova and parasite (O&P) workflow is set to be presented at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference. This study assesses the effectiveness of Techcyte’s parasitology suite, utilizing both trichrome and wet mount methods, in conjunction with an automated whole slide imager from Pramana, now known as Evident. Following its presentation, the study will be accessible on the APHL website.
The research, titled “Validation of the Techcyte/Pramana Platform for the Detection of Parasites in Stool Specimens in a County Public Health Laboratory,” focused on enhancing the efficiency of traditional O&P testing, which is known for its labor-intensive nature and demand for specialized expertise. CCPHL’s evaluation spanned 549 patient samples, each comprising paired trichrome and wet mount slides, and demonstrated impressive results with 97% accuracy, 98% sensitivity, and 97% specificity. This AI-assisted digital workflow offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by increasing specimen volumes and staffing limitations.
Results from the study, which included both newly received and archived specimens, were compared to traditional microscopy methods. The integration of this AI platform into CCPHL’s processes in January 2026 reportedly led to reduced turnaround times and improved efficiency, while also alleviating staff fatigue. The study highlights the potential of AI in mitigating workforce shortages in public health laboratories without compromising established diagnostic practices. However, final confirmation of positive cases remains reliant on traditional light microscopy.
Tyler Rippy, Account Executive at Techcyte, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating that the study’s outcomes are encouraging for the advancement of AI-assisted workflows in parasitology laboratories. Techcyte’s digital parasitology solution supports various staining methods within a unified workflow, aiming to enhance diagnostic testing efficiency and accuracy.
Techcyte, established in 2013, is committed to revolutionizing pathology practices through a comprehensive platform that digitizes lab workflows and incorporates AI tools. Interested parties can learn more about their innovative solutions at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled for May 4–7, 2026, in Baltimore, where Techcyte will be present at Booth 201. For further information, Techcyte’s platform is available for research purposes in the United States. Visit techcyte.com for additional details.