Event Details

PHO Microbiology Rounds: Welcome to the Machine (Learning): Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Stool Parasite Detection

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.

Presenter(s): Dr. Marc Couturier

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.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.