Detection of Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) in Slit-Skin

Smear Microscopy using MASK R-CNN

Algorithm
Joshua John L. Cabunilas
School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering Mapua University Intramuros, Manila
jjlcabunilas@mymail.mapua.edu.ph

Kean Jayther P. Ponio

School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering Mapua University Intramuros, Manila
kjpponio@mymail.mapua.edu.ph

Belen Lardizabal Dofitas MD MSc

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine & Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
bldofitas@up.edu.ph

Jocelyn F. Villaverde
School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering Mapua University Intramuros, Manila
jfvillaverde@mapua.edu.ph

Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) is a group of bacteria that includes the bacterium responsible
for leprosy, a chronic and debilitating disease that can cause skin lesions, nerve damage, and
disfigurement. Detecting AFB in a patient's sample is crucial for diagnosing and treating
leprosy, and other diseases caused by these bacteria.

Slit skin smear is a common diagnostic technique for detecting AFB in skin lesions.
This technique involves making a small incision in the skin and collecting a small tissue
sample, which is then stained and examined under a microscope for the presence of AFB. While
this method is effective, it can be time-consuming and requires specialized training to interpret
the results accurately.

Researchers have developed a computer vision system that uses a convolutional neural
network (CNN) to detect, classify, and quantify AFB in skin samples to make the diagnostic
process more efficient and accurate. The system is based on the Mask R-CNN architecture, a
popular CNN for object detection and instance segmentation.

The researchers trained the system using over 300 annotated images of AFB, which
were captured using a raspberry pi camera and processed using a Raspberry Pi Model 4. They
used data augmentation techniques to increase the number of images, which helped improve
the accuracy of the system.

The system can detect three types of AFB: solids, fragmented, and clumps. It generates
three outputs: classification, bounding boxes, and instance segmentation. Classification refers
to identifying the type of AFB, while bounding boxes and instance segmentation help locate
and quantify the bacteria in the sample.

The system has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of leprosy and other diseases
caused by AFB. It can provide faster and more accurate results, reduce the need for specialized
training, and improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to validate the system's
effectiveness in clinical settings and to explore its potential for other applications in
microbiology and medical diagnosis.