New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) As tuberculosis (TB) remains the most lethal infectious disease worldwide, a recent study has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital stethoscopes could effectively close significant screening gaps, particularly in remote areas.

In a commentary featured in the journal Med (Cell Press), leading global experts argued that the integration of stethoscopes with digital technology and AI presents a superior solution to the obstacles encountered in screening programs, such as under-detection, exorbitant costs, and unequal access.

“AI-enhanced digital stethoscopes have shown remarkable accuracy and practicality in identifying lung and cardiovascular issues, yielding promising outcomes in initial TB research. It is crucial to train and validate this tool in diverse, high-burden environments to fully realize its potential,” stated corresponding author Madhukar Pai from McGill University, Canada, alongside researchers from the UAE, Germany, and Switzerland.

Despite advancements in screening and diagnostic technologies, approximately 2.7 million individuals with TB were overlooked by existing programs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Standard symptom screenings are also likely to miss individuals with asymptomatic or subclinical TB.

While the WHO has recently endorsed several AI-driven computer-aided detection (CAD) software and ultra-portable radiography equipment, the high operational costs and initial hardware investments deter widespread adoption.

This is particularly challenging in primary care settings and among pregnant women due to radiation risks.

Researchers noted that AI has demonstrated significant promise for screening, with applications extending beyond CAD for TB from radiographs.

“One innovative application of AI in disease screening is the interpretation of acoustic (sound) biomarkers, which can potentially identify sounds that may appear nonspecific or are inaudible to human ears,” they elaborated, emphasizing the potential of AI in recognizing and interpreting cough biomarkers and lung auscultation for analyzing breath sounds.

Studies from nations heavily burdened by TB, such as India, Peru, South Africa, Uganda, and Vietnam, indicated that AI-enabled auscultation could serve as a valuable TB screening and triage instrument.

“AI digital stethoscopes might emerge as beneficial alternatives to imaging-based methods for TB screening, with the capacity to democratize healthcare access for populations underserved by radiography,” the researchers noted.

“Crucially, AI digital stethoscopes provide a scalable, affordable, and patient-centered solution that could help us achieve TB case detection objectives,” they added.