Enhanced Parasite Egg Images with Multiregion Light Source

Worms are human intestinal parasites; worm infections are often caused by roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, or hookworms. These pathogens are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, and worm infections pose a major threat to public health in developing and underdeveloped countries. Parasitic infections are typically diagnosed through optical microscope observation with the human eye. However, parasite samples are often hazardous because they contain feces or blood smears, and diagnosis requires substantial time and effort from a professional medical examiner. This study proposed a multiquadrant light source and corresponding image processing methods to enhance the optical microscope images of parasite eggs. A light source with nine independently controlled areas was installed in an optical microscope to illuminate a parasite egg sample on glass substrate. Composite images additively constructed from single-axis images had improved characteristics because of the illumination with a suitable light intensity and illumination angle. A center-subtraction method enhanced the inner contours of parasite eggs. The light source and image processing methods could be employed to construct three-dimensional profiles of parasite eggs, enabling rapid screening for parasites in clinical applications.