Fluorescence-Based Detection of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs Using Optical Brighteners from Laundry Detergents

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, is a neglected tropical disease that mainly affects populations in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we adapted an optical microscope into a fluorescence microscope by replacing its light source with a UV lamp (300-400 nm). This simple modification allowed us to test the effectiveness of Optical Brighteners (OBs), fluorescent compounds present in detergents, for the staining and detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine samples. The results show that OBs allow rapid and reliable detection through visible fluorescence to observe Schistosoma haematobium Eggs, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. This promising method could improve the diagnosis and surveillance of schistosomiasis in low-resource settings.