Automated diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasite images of dogs and cats

• Grant number: 17/14189-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
• Grantee: Sandra Valéria Inácio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMVA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/12236-1 - AnImaLS: Annotation of Images in Large Scale: what can machines and specialists learn from interaction?, AP.TEM

Abstract

The main objective of this project is the study, feasibility, development, evaluation, and validation, in laboratory, of the automated analysis of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) for diagnostic purposes. We will start by creating a database with about 1,000 images for each animal specie, as composed of the most prevalent parasitic geni in canids (dogs) and felids (cats) in the city of Araçatuba, SP. For the preparation of this image database, a recent parasitological technique, named TF-Test Modified, will be re-evaluated for each animal, modified if necessary, and validated in a gastrointestinal parasite diagnostic system (DAPI). DAPI consists of optical device, digital camera, and motorized stage, for automatic image acquisition of fecal parasites from the aforementioned animals. Two computational techniques will be used for the detection and classification of the parasitic organisms: a) an image segmentation technique ; and, b) a pattern classification technique. These techniques will allow the automatic delineation and recognition of gastrointestinal parasites from the faeces of dogs and cats, in an inedited way by using images and according to genre and specie. In the computer, each parasitic specie will have its signature (identification), such that the automated system will constitute a reference technique (Gold Standard) in the diagnostic area of Veterinary Medicine.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

JOAO, L. M.; PROENCA, LETICIA RODRIGUES; LOIOLA, SAULO HUDSON NERY; INACIO, SANDRA VALERIA; DOS SANTOS, BIANCA MARTINS; ROSA, STEFANY LARYSSA; SOARES, FELIPE AUGUSTO; STEFANO, VITORIA CASTILHO; OSAKU, DANIEL; SUZUKI, CELSO TETSUO NAGASE; et al. Toward automating the diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites in cats and dogs. COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, v. 163, p. 10-pg., 2023-07-10. (17/14189-9, 14/12236-1)

INACIO, SANDRA VALERIA; GOMES, JANCARLO FERREIRA; FALCAO, ALEXANDRE XAVIER; ROMUALDO DA SILVA, DEBORA REGINA; NAGATA, WALTER BERTEQUINI; NAGASE SUZUKI, CELSO TETSUO; DOS SANTOS, BIANCA MARTINS; SOARES, FELIPE AUGUSTO; NERY LOIOLA, SAULO HUDSON; BENITEZ, ALINE DO NASCIMENTO; et al. TF-Test techniques for the laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites of humans and animals. VETERINARIA ITALIANA, v. 58, n. 2, p. 7-pg., 2022-01-01. (17/14189-9, 14/12236-1)

INACIO, SANDRA VALERIA; GOMES, JANCARLO FERREIRA; FALCAO, ALEXANDRE XAVIER; NAGASE SUZUKI, CELSO TETSUO; NAGATA, WALTER BERTEQUINI; NERY LOIOLA, SAULO HUDSON; DOS SANTOS, BIANCA MARTINS; SOARES, FELIPE AUGUSTO; ROSA, STEFANI LARYSSA; BAPTISTA, CAROLINA BEATRIZ; et al. Automated Diagnosis of Canine Gastrointestinal Parasites Using Image Analysis. PATHOGENS, v. 9, n. 2, FEB 2020. (14/12236-1, 17/14189-9)