Wavelength Markers for Malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum) Infected and Uninfected Red Blood Cells for Ring and Trophozoite Stages

Abstract

Malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, uses haemoglobin in host red blood cells (RBCs) as a major source of nutrient in ring and trophozoite stages. This brings about changes in the morphology and functional characteristics of the RBCs. We investigate malaria infected RBCs and uninfected RBCs-ring and trophozoite stages using multispectral imaging technique. Four spectral bands were found to be markers for identifying infected and uninfected RBCs: 435 nm and 660 nm were common markers for the two stages whiles 590 nm and 625 nm were markers for the ring and the trophozoite stages respectively. These four spectral bands may offer potential diagnostic markers for identifying infected and uninfected RBCs, as well as distinguishing ring and trophozoite stages.