Intestinal Parasite Detection Using Segmented Immunoassay Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing intestinal parasite infections in animals are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, and their accuracy depends heavily on the skill of the operator.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a panel of tests, including an immunoassay or nucleic acid assay as the first test and a microscopic evaluation assay as the second test, where the first test determines a signal output and the second test is conducted only if the signal output exceeds a threshold value or if the mammal meets specific evaluation metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microscopic evaluation assays are performed on all fecal samples, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but labor, time, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic process is segmented into two stages: first, a rapid immunoassay or nucleic acid assay screens all samples to identify those with positive signal output; second, only samples exceeding the threshold value undergo microscopic evaluation. This segmentation reduces the number of samples requiring labor-intensive microscopic analysis while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for positive cases.
Solution Approach 2:
A preliminary screening test (immunoassay or nucleic acid assay) is performed on all fecal samples before microscopic evaluation. This preliminary action identifies samples with positive signal output that exceed a threshold value, allowing the system to prioritize which samples require the more time-consuming microscopic evaluation, thereby improving overall productivity without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If microscopic evaluation assays are performed on all fecal samples, then all infections are detected, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic workflow is divided into a rapid initial screening phase using immunoassay or nucleic acid assay, followed by a selective microscopic evaluation phase only for samples with positive signal output exceeding the threshold. This segmentation eliminates time waste on clearly negative samples while ensuring thorough evaluation of suspicious cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The immunoassay or nucleic acid assay serves as a preliminary filtering step that quickly identifies samples requiring further analysis. By performing this preliminary action, the system avoids spending excessive time on microscopic evaluation of samples that would ultimately test negative, thus reducing overall diagnosis time while maintaining detection accuracy for positive cases.
3Reliability
If microscopic evaluation assays are performed on all fecal samples, then comprehensive diagnosis is achieved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic process is segmented into a low-cost initial screening using immunoassay or nucleic acid assay, followed by selective microscopic evaluation only for samples with positive signal output. This segmentation reduces resource consumption by eliminating unnecessary microscopic evaluations of negative samples while maintaining diagnostic reliability for positive cases through the two-stage approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The immunoassay or nucleic acid assay acts as a preliminary cost-effective filter that identifies which samples require the more resource-intensive microscopic evaluation. This preliminary action reduces overall resource consumption by preventing wasteful expenditure of time, labor, and materials on samples that would test negative, while ensuring reliable diagnosis for positive cases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method reduces the number of fecal samples requiring microscopic evaluation, thereby decreasing costs and labor while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the first test is an immunoassay or a nucleic acid assay having a first threshold value
Implementation Method 2
the first test is an immunoassay or a nucleic acid assay having a first threshold value
Implementation Method 3
the second test is a microscopic evaluation assay
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for detecting the presence or absence of an intestinal parasite infection in a mammalian sample are disclosed herein. The methods can be used to confirm the presence or absence of an intestinal parasite by applying a first test that is an immunoassay or a nucleic acid assay and conducting a second test such as microscopic evaluation assay based on the outcome of the first test or based on one or more evaluation metrics. Confirmation of the presence or absence of the intestinal parasite in the mammal can be made, for example, for the purpose of selecting an optimal course of treating the mammal and/or for the purpose of determining whether the mammal has been rid of the infection after treatment has been initiated.