Red blood cell classification using image processing and CNN

In the medical field, the analysis of the blood sample of the patient is a critical task. Abnormalities in blood cells are accountable for various health issues. Red blood cells (RBCs) are one of the major components of blood. Classifying the RBC can allow us to diagnose different diseases. The traditional time consuming technique of visualizing RBC manually under the microscope is a tedious task and may lead to wrong interpretation because of the human error. The various health conditions can change the shape, texture, and size of normal RBCs. The proposed method has involved the use of image processing to classify the RBCs with the help of Convolution Neural Networks (CNN). The algorithm can extract the feature of each segmented cell image and classify it in various types as Microcytes, Elliptocytes, Stomatocytes, Macrocytes, Teardrop RBCs, Codocytes, Spherocytes, Sickel cell RBCs and Howell jolly RBCs. Classification is done with respect to the size, shape, and appearance of RBCs. The experiment was conducted on the blood slide collected from the hospital and RBC images were extracted from those blood slide images. The obtained results compared with reports obtained by the pathology lab and realized 98.5% accuracy. The developed system provides accurate and fast results due to which it may save the life of patients.

Teething induced fever in a 9-month old child: a case report

The association between teething and fever has attracted considerable interest because studies have reported controversial results. These discordant results have posed a challenge in the management of fever occurring during teething. The objective of this paper is to supplement previous studies which showed association between teeth eruption and fever and highlight mismanagement of teething induced fever. A 9-month old baby girl presented with fever during teeth eruption. Despite of no malaria parasites seen on blood slide and lack of features and laboratory investigations suggestive of urinary tract infection or bacteremia, the child was treated with antimalarial drugs and prescribed antibiotics. This case study demonstrates that unrecognized teething induced fever leads to unnecessary use of anti-malarial drugs and antibiotics. We recommend paediatricians to consider teething as one of the causes of fever among children.

Evaluation of malaria prevention strategies during pregnancy in Ndola, Zambia

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is associated with many negative outcomes for the woman,foetus and neonate. Intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) using three doses of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP), insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spray (IRS), constitute the main strategies used to prevent malaria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies for the reduction of malaria prevalence in pregnant women.Methods: A questionnaire on socio-demographic information, history of malaria during current pregnancy and prevention strategies used was administered to 450 consecutive patients admitted into labour wards at three local clinics. From the antenatal cards, information was collected on the last menstrual period, date of each dose of SP taken, gravidity, and HIV status. A blood slide to detect Plasmodium was then collected from each woman after consent.Results: Of the participants in the study, 2.4% had a positive blood slide at term and 15.8% reported malaria during pregnancy. All the participants took at least one dose of SP with 87.6% completing the stipulated three doses. The mean gestational ages for each dose were 22.1 (SD 4.6), 29.1 (SD 4.4)and 34.4 (SD 3.9) weeks for the first, second and third dose respectively. With regard to ITNs, 79.5% had one, but only 74.1% used it regularly. IRS was completed in all three of the clinics’ catchment areas. Only 23.4% used commercial insecticide.Conclusion: The measured prevalence of malaria at term in Ndola was remarkably low, although the self-reported rate during pregnancy was still high. The national targets for accessing IPTp were exceeded, although the timing of each dose needs to be improved. Access to ITNs was high, but usage needs to increase.