Techcyte’s AI-assisted ova and parasite (O&P) workflow has achieved a significant milestone, as a validation study conducted by the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory (CCPHL) has been accepted for presentation at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference. This study, titled “Validation of the Techcyte/Pramana Platform for the Detection of Parasites in Stool Specimens in a County Public Health Laboratory,” will be shared with a wider audience via a poster presentation and later made available on the APHL website.
The study explored the efficacy of Techcyte’s parasitology suite, which includes trichrome and wet mount solutions, in tandem with an automated slide imager from Pramana, now known as Evident. Traditionally, O&P testing has depended on labor-intensive manual microscopy, requiring skilled personnel and extensive training. To address increasing specimen volumes and staffing challenges, CCPHL incorporated an AI-assisted digital workflow to enhance its screening processes.
The evaluation involved 549 patient samples, each consisting of paired trichrome and wet mount slides. The results were impressive, showing 97% accuracy, 98% sensitivity, and 97% specificity. The study included both new and archived specimens, comparing the AI-assisted workflow against traditional microscopy methods. Notably, integrating this platform into CCPHL’s workflow in January 2026 led to reduced turnaround times and improved efficiency, while also mitigating staff fatigue.
The findings suggest that incorporating AI into public health laboratory workflows could alleviate workforce shortages without compromising diagnostic accuracy. In this implementation, traditional light microscopy still plays a role in confirming positive cases. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with and support the team at Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory,” stated Tyler Rippy, Account Executive at Techcyte, expressing optimism about the role of AI in enhancing parasitology lab workflows.
Techcyte, established in 2013, aims to revolutionize pathology practices through its unified platform that digitizes lab workflows and employs AI tools to boost diagnostic testing efficiency and accuracy. The company will be presenting its AI-powered digital pathology solutions at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference in Baltimore from May 4–7, 2026. Their mission centers on positively impacting human, animal, and environmental health by collaborating with leading labs and technology partners globally.