European Conference on Computational Biology ECCB 2024 – Turku, Finland

Dr. Anđelija Ilić, head of work package 4 of the ToxoReTREAT project and Jelena Trajković, member of the ToxoReTREAT team, presented the results of our project at the 23rd European Conference on
computer biology (European Conference on Computational Biology-ECCB 2024), held in the city
Turku in Finland from September 16 to 20, 2024.

Dr. Anđelija Ilić presented a work aimed at development of an algorithm based on the fractal dimension, which can recognize Toxoplasma gondii parasite cysts on computer images of microscopic preparations of brain tissue. The algorithm is based on fractal analysis of blocks of different sizes, into which the high-resolution image is divided, where by interpolation of the obtained data and their statistical processing those that meet the condition that belong to the surface of T. gondii brain cysts can be found.

Jelena Trajković presented a paper on the structural characterization of T. gondii brain tissue in an in vivo model of reactivated toxoplasmosis. The characterization was carried out in ImageJ software for image processing, where different properties of cysts were observed: fractal dimension, lacunarity, diameter, circularity and packing density of parasites.

These works resulting from the results of the ToxoReTREAT project contribute to the precise structural characterization of T. gondii cysts presented in chronic toxoplasmosis, which in conditions of immunosuppresion can represent source of reactivation of infection that threatens the life of the host.