Optical Microscope Based on Multispectral Imaging Applied to Plasmodium Diagnosis

Abstract

We have adapted an optical transmission microscope to multispectral imaging in order to diagnose Plasmodium falciparum without using fluorescent labels for parasites as is the case for the thick and thin blood smears. We show how a set of monochromatic Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) has provided an efficient contrast and spatial resolution to identify the parasites inside the erythrocytes. The obtained images have been processed using MATLAB software to improve the contrast. This method is a promising alternative for malaria diagnosis.