Introduction and Background of the Project

Introduction: 

IDxAID is a global project to deliver a portable, AI‑powered digital microscopy platform that helps detect parasitic worm infections affecting millions of people—soil‑transmitted helminths (intestinal worms) and schistosomiasis. By finding and counting parasite eggs on standard stool and urine slides, the project aims to close gaps in access to affordable, high‑quality diagnostics and streamline digital reporting. This strengthens national programs that monitor disease and guide deworming campaigns.

Project Objective: 

Deliver and validate a field‑ready diagnostic platform for parasitic worm infections (soil‑transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis) that is accurate, fast, and affordable, and aligned with WHO guidance for monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance. The project will generate the clinical, analytical, and operational evidence required to progress toward regulated medical device status and responsible, wide‑scale adoption.

Project Design:  

The platform centers on a rugged, portable digital microscope built for places with limited or no electricity, and scans standard stool and urine slides and uses AI to highlight likely parasite eggs so a trained user can quickly confirm them on screen. The end‑to‑end workflow supports monitoring programs: start a survey, enter participant details, track samples, verify AI findings, automatically calculate how heavy the infection is, and share clear dashboard summaries with health teams. Over the project, we will finalize the design, refine hardware and software, train and validate AI models to identify target schistosome and soil-transmitted helminth species, set up certified quality processes, obtain manufacturing approvals, and produce pilot units.  IDxAID will then run real‑world field studies in Zanzibar (Tanzania), Lao PDR, Cambodia, The Philippines, Brazil, and Peru.

How can your partnership (project) address global health challenges?

The IDxAID project will deliver an AI‑powered microscopy platform that improves diagnostic accuracy, reduces reliance on scarce expert microscopists, and speeds up reporting. With faster, better data, health ministries can target treatment where it’s most needed, saving costs and reducing illness. The platform scales to large community surveys, works in places where multiple parasitic diseases occur together, and can be expanded to support other neglected diseases in the future. 

What sort of innovation are you bringing in your project?

The IDxAID project will deliver first‑in‑class integrated AI microscopy for both intestinal worms and schistosomiasis, combining portable hardware, on‑device AI, human‑in‑the‑loop verification, and digital data flows for reliable, auditable results in low‑resource settings.

Role and Responsibility of Each Partner

· Enaiblers (Sweden): Lead design, AI, manufacturing readiness, regulatory; manage Brazil/Zanzibar/Peru sites/field validation.

· NUPMLS (Japan): Coordinate Japan partners; lab work; lead Philippines site.

· Niigata University (Japan): Co‑lead Laos/Cambodia planning and sites.

· Asahikawa Medical University (Japan): Co‑lead Laos/Cambodia lab work and training.

· QIMR Berghofer (Australia): Lead Laos/Cambodia field studies; methods and analysis support.