Review of Telemicrobiology

Abstract

Context Microbiology laboratories are continually pursuing means to improve quality, rapidity, and efficiency of specimen analysis in the face of limited resources. One means by which to achieve these improvements is through the remote analysis of digital images. Telemicrobiology enables the remote interpretation of images of microbiology specimens. To date, the practice of clinical telemicrobiology has not been thoroughly reviewed. Objective Identify the various methods that can be employed for telemicrobiology, including emerging technologies that may provide value to the clinical laboratory. Data Sources Peer-reviewed literature, conference proceedings, meeting presentations, and expert opinions pertaining to telemicrobiology have been evaluated. Results A number of modalities have been employed for telemicroscopy including static capture techniques, whole slide imaging, video telemicroscopy, mobile devices, and hybrid systems. Telemicrobiology has been successfully implemented for applications including routine primary diagnois, expert teleconsultation, and proficiency testing. Emerging areas include digital culture plate reading, mobile health applications and computer-augmented analysis of digital images. Conclusions Static image capture techniques to date have been the most widely used modality for telemicrobiology, despite the fact that other newer technologies are available and may produce better quality interpretations. Increased adoption of telemicrobiology offers added value, quality, and efficiency to the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Implementation of Whole Slide Imaging for Clinical Purposes: Issues to Consider From the Perspective of Early Adopters

“…For routine surgical pathology, it is the authors' experience that scanning glass slides using a low-magnification objective (eg, 320) appears to be sufficient. 17 Scanning at higher magnification (eg, 340 or greater) generates images of greater resolution, which may be necessary for identifying small objects such as microorganisms, 18 although routine scanning at 340 may be preferred by some pathologists. There are instruments that can perform oil-immersion scanning (eg, Aperio CS-O and VERSA scanners [Leica Biosystems]), which is very helpful when dealing with hematopathology smears.…”

Update on Malaria Diagnostics and Test Utilization

“…In addition, the CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria offers a telediagnostic service (http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/ contact.html) that can provide a rapid diagnosis, usually to the species level (11). A cost-savings analysis has showed that the CDC's telediagnostic service is one-twentieth the cost of normal specimen submissions to the CDC and can provide results within 1 to 2 h during normal business hours of operation (18,19). In a study evaluating data between October 2005 and September 2010, the CDC's telediagnostic service was able to confidently obtain a species-level identification in 70% of the cases (n ϭ 1192) (18).…”

Comparison of the diagnostic utility of digital pathology systems for telemicrobiology

“…Telepathology is a growing component of the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine, which includes telemicrobiology. [ 1 2 3 ] Telemicrobiology is an important and growing component of clinical microbiology informatics. [ 3 4 ] Telemicrobiology has been incorporated into routine use by some microbiology core laboratories that supports satellite laboratories.…”

“…[ 1 2 3 ] Telemicrobiology is an important and growing component of clinical microbiology informatics. [ 3 4 ] Telemicrobiology has been incorporated into routine use by some microbiology core laboratories that supports satellite laboratories. Telemicrobiology has also been used for seeking expert consultation, such as the consultation services established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria's service for diagnostic assistance (DPDx).…”

“…Telemicrobiology has also been used for seeking expert consultation, such as the consultation services established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria's service for diagnostic assistance (DPDx). [ 3 ] However, to the best of our knowledge, no published studies have evaluated the diagnostic utility of multiple contemporary digital pathology systems for use in telemicrobiology. In clinical practice, detecting and identifying microscopic organisms using glass slides is often performed using a ×100 oil-immersion objective lens.…”