OptraSCAN Launches BactoSiA, Bringing AI-Enabled Standardization to TB Smear Microscopy

AI-powered digital pathology solution for AFB detection & bacillary grading at scale to support treatment response assessment and follow-up workflows.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 2:55am

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OptraSCAN, a digital pathology company integrated with AI-enabled diagnostics, has announced the launch of BactoSiA, an AI-assisted tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring and follow-up solution designed to assist sputum smear microscopy. BactoSiA 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, delivering standardized bacillary load grading to support consistent interpretation and clinical decision-making.

Why it matters

While rapid molecular diagnostics have transformed TB detection and drug-resistance testing, sputum smear microscopy continues to play a central role in treatment monitoring, follow-up, and programmatic decision-making, particularly in high-burden settings. BactoSiA addresses this critical layer of the diagnostic ecosystem by digitizing and automating smear analysis, bringing speed, standardization, and scalability to microscopy workflows to support real-world implementation at scale.

The details

BactoSiA is designed for public health labs, mid/high-volume TB labs, mobile units, NGOs, and telepathology networks, supporting high-throughput TB screening while maintaining operational efficiency. The solution performs scanning, indexing, and AI-driven analysis simultaneously, flagging likely positive regions, prioritizing cases for review, and automatically grading confirmed positive smears using standardized criteria. All images and reports are managed digitally within OptraSCAN's IMAGEPath software ecosystem.

  • BactoSiA will be officially launched at the WHX Labs World Health Expo in Dubai on February 10-13, 2026.

The players

OptraSCAN

A digital pathology company integrated with AI-enabled diagnostics and a subsidiary of the Molbio Group.

Devika Gholap

Chief Product Officer at OptraSCAN.

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What they’re saying

“Tuberculosis care cascade depends on how well different tools work together within real-world health systems. By bringing automation and standardized bacillary grading to one of the most widely used TB tests in the world, BactoSiA helps laboratories reduce reader variability, improve throughput, and deliver more consistent results, without adding operational complexity. This approach supports real-world implementation at scale.”

— Devika Gholap, Chief Product Officer

“BactoSiA helps laboratories reduce reader variability, improve throughput, and deliver more consistent results, without adding operational complexity.”

— Devika Gholap, Chief Product Officer

What’s next

OptraSCAN will showcase real-time AI-assisted TB screening workflows using BactoSiA at the WHX Labs World Health Expo in Dubai on February 10-13, 2026. Devika Gholap, Chief Product Officer at OptraSCAN, will also present a technology and innovation spotlight session on 'Implementation Science Considerations for Digitally Enabled Tuberculosis Microscopy' during the event.

The takeaway

BactoSiA represents an innovative approach to digitizing and automating sputum smear microscopy, a critical tool for TB treatment monitoring and follow-up, particularly in resource-limited settings. By bringing standardization and scalability to this widely used diagnostic, OptraSCAN aims to support more efficient and consistent TB care delivery at the community level.