Techcyte’s AI-assisted workflow for detecting parasites in stool samples has garnered significant attention following a validation study by the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory (CCPHL). The study, which evaluated the integration of Techcyte’s parasitology suite and an automated whole slide imager from Pramana (now Evident), will be featured at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference. The findings, demonstrating 97% accuracy, 98% sensitivity, and 97% specificity, mark a promising advancement in laboratory efficiency and accuracy.
The study, titled “Validation of the Techcyte/Pramana Platform for the Detection of Parasites in Stool Specimens in a County Public Health Laboratory,” highlights the potential of AI to enhance traditional ova and parasite (O&P) testing, which historically relies on labor-intensive manual microscopy. With rising specimen volumes and workforce challenges, CCPHL’s adoption of an AI-assisted digital workflow has been shown to improve operational efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and alleviate staff fatigue. A total of 549 cases, including both new and archived specimens, were analyzed, with results benchmarked against traditional microscopy methods.
The integration of AI into public health laboratories addresses labor shortages while maintaining diagnostic standards. Despite this technological shift, conventional light microscopy remains crucial for confirming positive cases. Tyler Rippy, an Account Executive at Techcyte, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with CCPHL, noting the study’s contribution to advancing AI-assisted workflows in parasitology labs.
Techcyte, founded in 2013, is at the forefront of digitizing pathology workflows with AI tools aimed at enhancing diagnostic efficiency. Their comprehensive digital parasitology platform supports multiple staining methods, such as trichrome, wet mount, and modified acid-fast (MAF), within a unified system. The company will showcase its innovations at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference in Baltimore, where attendees can visit Booth 201 to explore Techcyte’s digital pathology solutions for public health laboratories.
While Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory has incorporated the evaluated platform into their operations, they do not endorse specific products or services. Techcyte’s mission is to leverage artificial intelligence to positively impact human, animal, and environmental health by partnering with leading labs and technology providers globally. Their pathology platform is currently for research use only in the United States.