Peripheral smear test

PERIPHERAL SMEAR (FOR MALARIA) TEST

DESCRIPTION – Malaria parasites can be identified by examining under the microscope a drop of the patient’s blood, spread out as a blood smear on a microscope slide. Prior to examination, the specimen is stained to give the parasites a distinctive appearance.

METHODOLOGY – stain

TURN AROUND TIME – within 2 days

PATIENT PREPARATION –

COLLECT – lavender (EDTA), pink (potassium EDTA)

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – transport 5 ml whole blood. Extended exposure to EDTA anticoagulants can result in altered parasite morphology.

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – room temperature

STABILITY –

Whole blood – ambient: 24 hours

Slides – ambient: 1week

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS – whole blood in anticoagulants other than EDTA,

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – Clinical history is mandatory