Tele-microscopy system based on mobile telephone for distance diagnosis of tuberculosis in remote areas of Paraguay

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Paraguay. Diagnosis and monitoring of treatment are based mainly on bacilloscopy (examination of a sputum smear to verify the presence of specific bacilli). This test can be carried out in a laboratory with minimal resources such as Zichl Neelsen reagents and a microscope. Most of the primary care centers in Paraguay have these resources.