Detection of fungal hyphae using smartphone and pocket magnifier: going cellular.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to detect fungal hyphae in a corneal scraping sample using a cost-effective assembly of smartphone and pocket magnifier.

METHODS:

In this case report, a tissue sample was obtained by conventional corneal scraping from a clinically suspicious case of mycotic keratitis. The smear was stained with Gram stain, and a 10% potassium hydroxide mount was prepared. It was imaged using a smartphone coupled with a compact pocket magnifier and integrated light-emitting diode assembly at point-of-care. Photographs of multiple sections of slides were viewed using smartphone screen and pinch-to-zoom function. The same slides were subsequently screened under a light microscope by an experienced microbiologist. The scraping from the ulcer was also inoculated on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar.

RESULTS:

Smartphone-based digital imaging revealed the presence of gram-positive organism with hyphae. Examination under a light microscope also yielded similar findings. Fusarium was cultured from the corneal scraping, confirming the diagnosis of mycotic keratitis. The patient responded to topical 5% natamycin therapy, with resolution of the ulcer after 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS:

Smartphones can be successfully used as novel point-of-care, cost-effective, reliable microscopic screening tools.

• Authors: Tushar Agarwal, Pooja Bandivadekar, Gita Satpathy, Namrata Sharma, Jeewan S Titiyal
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 34 Issue 3 Pg. 355-7 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25611399 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Cell Phone
• Cornea (microbiology)
• Eye Infections, Fungal (diagnosis)
• Fusariosis (diagnosis)
• Fusarium (isolation & purification)
• Humans
• Hyphae (isolation & purification)
• Keratitis (diagnosis)
• Young Adult