Guideline: the laboratory diagnosis of malaria. (8th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey, J. Wendi; Williams, John; Bain, Barbara J.; Parker‐Williams, John; Chiodini, Peter L.
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 163:Number 5(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 573
• Page End: 580
• Publication Date: 2013-10-08
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjh12572-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>UK National External Quality Assessment Service surveys indicate continuing problems in malaria diagnosis: inaccurate calculation of parasitaemia or failure to estimate it altogether, difficulty distinguishing <italic>Plasmodium vivax</italic> from <italic>P. ovale</italic>, reporting malaria parasites when none were present and misidentification of <italic>P. falciparum</italic> as another species still occur. Therefore, the British Committee for Standards in Haematology Guidelines for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria have been revised. They are intended for use in the UK but may also prove useful in other non‐endemic areas. Routine use of thick and thin films is advised for malaria diagnosis. Thick films should be stained using Giemsa or Field stain. Thin films should be stained with Giemsa stain or Leishman stain. Thick films should be examined by two observers, each viewing a minimum of 200 high power fields. If thick films are positive, the species should be determined by examination of a thin film. In the case of <italic>P. falciparum</italic> or <italic>P. knowlesi</italic> infection, the percentage of parasitized cells or the number of parasites per microlitre (/μl) should be estimated and reported. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malarial antigen cannot replace microscopy but are indicated as a supplementary test when malaria diagnosis is performed by relatively inexperienced staff. Malaria RDTs are negative in babesiosis.</p> </abstract>