MalariaSmear

Preparation of Blood Films for Malaria Detection: 

Preparation of Blood Films for Malaria Detection

Materials for Preparation of Malaria Smears: 

Materials for Preparation of Malaria Smears Clean and wrapped slides Sterile lancets 70% ethanol and water Absorbent cotton wool Surgical gloves Lint-free cotton cloth Slide box or cover to exclude flies and dust Record form or register Soft lead pencil; ball-point pen

Making the Malaria Smear: 

Making the Malaria Smear Holding the patient’s left hand, palm upwards, select the third finger from the thumb. The big toe can be used with infants. The thumb should never be used for adults or children. Clean the finger with a piece of cotton wool lightly soaked in 70% ethanol, using firm strokes to remove grease and dirt from the ball of the finger. Dry the finger with a clean cotton cloth, using firm strokes to stimulate blood circulation.

Perform Finger Stick: 

Puncture the ball of the finger with a sterile lancet, using a quick rolling action. Apply gentle pressure to the finger to express 1st drop of blood and wipe it away with a dry piece of cotton wool. Be sure cotton strands do not remain on the finger and mix with blood. Perform Finger Stick

Collecting Blood for Thick Prep: 

Collecting Blood for Thick Prep Working quickly, handling slides by the edges, collect the blood using the following procedure Apply further pressure to express more blood and collect two or three larger drops, about this size (circle), on the slide, about 1 cm. Wipe finger with cotton Allow the thick film to dry with the slide in a flat, level position, protected from flies, dust and extreme heat.

Collecting Blood Sample for Thin Prep: 

Collecting Blood Sample for Thin Prep Working quickly, handling slides by the edges, collect the blood using the following procedure Apply further pressure to express blood and collect two or three larger drops, about this size (circle), on the slide, about 1 cm. Proceed with making (thin) smear as prepared for blood cell identification and enumeration Wipe finger with cotton

Making a Thin Film: 

Making a Thin Film Using a second clean slide as “spreader” and, with the slide with the blood drops resting on a flat, firm surface, touch the small drop with the spreader and allow the blood to run along its edge. Firmly push the spreader along the slide, keeping the spreader at an angle of 45. Make sure that the spreader is in even contact with the surface of the slide all the time the blood is being spread.

Making a Thick Film: 

Making a Thick Film Using the corner of the spreader, quickly join the drops of blood and spread them to make an even, thick film. The blood should not be excessively stirred but can be spread in circular or rectangular form with 3 to 6 movements. The circular thick films should be about 1cm (1/3 inch) in diameter.

Labeling the Slide: 

Label the dry thin film with a soft lead pencil by writing across the thicker portion of the thin film the patient’s name or number and the date. Do not use a ball-point pen for labeling the slide. Wrap the dry slide in the patient’s record form and dispatch it to the laboratory as soon as possible. Labeling the Slide

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Credit Adopted from: WHO – Geneva Bench Aids For Diagnosis of Malaria Infection, 2nd Edition