Techcyte has announced that a validation study conducted by the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory (CCPHL) on its AI-assisted ova and parasite (O&P) workflow has been accepted for presentation at the APHL 2026 Annual Conference. The study, titled “Validation of the Techcyte/Pramana Platform for the Detection of Parasites in Stool Specimens in a County Public Health Laboratory,” will be available to the public on APHL’s website following the event. This research evaluates the effectiveness of Techcyte’s parasitology suite, which utilizes both trichrome and wet mount solutions, alongside an automated whole slide imager developed by Pramana, now known as Evident.
The traditional method for O&P testing is labor-intensive, requiring specialized expertise and significant training. With increasing specimen volumes and staffing challenges, CCPHL explored an AI-assisted digital workflow to enhance their existing screening processes, ultimately aiming to improve operational efficiency. The study successfully analyzed 549 cases, defined as patient samples containing paired trichrome and wet mount slides, and demonstrated remarkable accuracy at 97%, with sensitivity and specificity at 98% and 97%, respectively.
This validation included both newly received patient specimens and archived cases, with findings compared to traditional microscopy methods. Since the platform was integrated into CCPHL’s workflow in January 2026, the laboratory has observed a noticeable reduction in turnaround times and improvements in workflow efficiency and staff fatigue. The authors of the study suggest that incorporating AI into public health laboratory workflows could help mitigate workforce shortages while maintaining established diagnostic practices. Despite the integration of AI, final confirmation of positive cases continues to rely on traditional light microscopy.
Tyler Rippy, Account Executive at Techcyte, expressed satisfaction in collaborating with CCPHL, stating, “We’re encouraged by the results and the role this study plays in advancing the use of AI-assisted workflows in parasitology labs.” Techcyte offers a comprehensive digital parasitology solution supporting multiple staining methods, including trichrome, wet mount, and modified acid-fast (MAF), within a unified workflow. It’s important to note that while the Contra Costa County Public Health Laboratory has adopted the evaluated platform, it does not endorse specific products or services.
Techcyte, founded in 2013, is at the forefront of transforming pathology practices with a platform that digitizes lab workflows and provides AI tools aimed at enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of diagnostic testing. The company’s mission is to positively impact human, animal, and environmental health through artificial intelligence. Techcyte collaborates with leading laboratories, whole slide scanner manufacturers, AI vendors, and other partners to deliver a unified anatomic and clinical pathology platform to labs worldwide. For more information, visit techcyte.com.