Computerized Shape Analysis of Erythrocytes and Their Formed Aggregates in Patients Infected With P.Vivax Malaria

Human plasmodial malaria is a severe infection of the erythrocytes with significantmorbidity and mortality. The dimensional changes induced by P.vivax malaria parasites in erythrocytesin human blood are prominent and varies with the degree of parasitaemia. Aggregation of erythrocytesis a common finding in patients infected with malaria.The changes in the shape of erythrocyte and its cytoplasm have been determined by shapedescriptors and gray scale variation of the cytoplasm by microscopic imaging and image processingtools. The computerized shape analysis is carried out from the digital images obtained undermicroscope by shape descriptors based on projected area, perimeter and form factor,as measured byprocessing of images of erythrocytes in patients undergoing treatment for malaria. The changes inducedin the cytoplasm by the malaria parasite are determined by the scanning of erythrocytes images alongthe horizontal diameter. The levels of aggregation of erythrocytes corresponding to the levels ofinfection, is measured and compared with normal samples. Growth of malaria parasite within thecytoplasm of the erythrocyte has also been measured. The measurable deviations in various other entitiesof the erythrocytes in a malaria patients using image processing techniques, has also been discussed.