title: Optimization of malaria detection based on third harmonic generation imaging of hemozoin.
abstract: The pigment hemozoin is a natural by-product of the metabolism of hemoglobin by the parasites which cause malaria. Previously, hemozoin was demonstrated to have a very high nonlinear optical response enabling third harmonic generation (THG) imaging. In this study, we present a complete characterization of the nonlinear THG response of natural hemozoin in malaria-infected red blood cells, as well as in pure isostructural synthesized hematin anhydride, in order to determine optimal imaging parameters for detection. Our study demonstrates the wavelength range for optimal pulsed femtosecond laser excitation of THG from hemozoin crystals. In addition, we show the hemozoin crystal detection as a function of crystal size, incident laser power, and the emission response of the hemozoin crystals to different incident laser polarization states. Our systematic measurements of the nonlinear optical response from hemozoin establish detection limits, which are essential for the optimal design of malaria detection technologies that exploit the THG response of hemozoin.
authors: Department of Physics, McGill University, 3600 University St., Montreal, QC H3A 2T8, Canada.
authors: Umakanta
authors: U
authors: Tripathy
authors: Maxime
authors: M
authors: Giguère-Bisson
authors: Mohammad Hussain
authors: MH
authors: Sangji
authors: Marie-Josée
authors: MJ
authors: Bellemare
authors: D Scott
authors: DS
authors: Bohle
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Georges
authors: Paul W
authors: PW
authors: Wiseman
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006420:Hemeproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006427:Hemin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D006420:Hemeproteins; C020753:hemozoin; D006427:Hemin