Malaria Parasites

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Call transportation (937-297-8262 option 1) for STAT pickup. Contact Microbiology Department (937-297-8225) before making smears if unsure of methodology. Slide preparation is essential for accurate staining.

MALSMR

831;
Blood Parasites Thick and Thin Smear;
Thick Smear;
Thick and Thin Smear for Malaria;

Two thick and two thin films made from finger stick blood, and K2EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

When making slides, the slides must be meticulously clean, and free from dust and grease, or the blood film may be lost during staining. Make 2 thin and 2 thick slides. Label each slide with the date, first and last name of the patient, and time of collection. To prepare thin slides, use a pusher to spread the drop across the slide in a thin film (standard hematology smear). Allow to air dry. For thick films, use the corner of a second slide, stir and spread the drop of blood until it covers an area approximately the size of a dime. While still wet, words on a printed page should be visible through the specimen. Using the same slide, lightly scratch the slide with the drop of blood. (it should make an audible scratching noise) to the wet surface. This will improve adherence of the blood film. If you have questions contact the Microbiology Department

Slides and K2EDTA (lavender top) tube should be transported to the lab within one hour.

Room Temperature

Room Temperature = 7 days
Refrigerated = 7 days
Frozen = unacceptable

K2EDTA that is more than 1 hours old. Frozen specimen

Sunday - Saturday
MB

thin smear - 1 day
thick smear - 2 days

The identification of malarial parasites and other blood parasites is used to determine treatment and prognosis.