OptraSCAN recently announced the launch of BactoSiA, an AI-assisted tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring and follow-up solution designed to assist one of the most widely used tools in TB care: sputum smear microscopy.
BactoSiA addresses a critical need in TB programs worldwide: consistent, repeatable bacillary assessment over the course of treatment, by digitizing and standardizing smear microscopy workflows. It combines high-resolution brightfield whole-slide imaging with AI-based algorithms to automatically detect and quantify acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on Ziehl–Neelsen–stained sputum samples. The solution is designed to deliver slide-to-report results in minutes, generating standardized bacillary load grading (Scanty, 1+, 2+, 3+) aligned with internationally recognized TB reporting guidelines to support consistent interpretation and downstream clinical decision-making.
BactoSiA leverages OptraSCAN’s patented OS-SiA technology and supports scalable, high-throughput TB screening while maintaining operational efficiency across diverse laboratory settings. Designed for public health labs, mid/high-volume TB labs, mobile units, NGOs, and telepathology networks, BactoSiA is also well-suited for decentralized and resource-limited environments, where access to trained human resources and infrastructure may be constrained.
BactoSiA performs scanning, indexing, and AI-driven analysis simultaneously. During acquisition, the AI flags likely positive regions and supports slide triage by prioritizing cases for review. Confirmed positive smears are graded automatically using standardized criteria, and all images and reports are managed digitally within OptraSCAN’s IMAGEPath software ecosystem.
OptraSCAN officially launched BactoSiA at WHX Labs World Health Expo February 10–13, 2026, in Dubai.
