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Blood Parasites (Microscopic Review), Blood - Pasqua/RGH

Discipline

Hematology

Overview

Alias

  • ​Thick and thin blood films

  • Babesia
  • Trypanosomes
  • Microfilaria

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Blood (6-8 thin and 3-4 thick slides)

Specimen collection container

  • 2- K2EDTA
  • Can use same tube as CBC, enter name of parasite in LIS
  • Capillary blood may also be used collected in a K2 EDTA Microtainer

Collection procedure

  • Specimens for slide screening should not be more than 48hrs old.
  • For the detection of stippling (Schuffner’s dots) the smears should be prepared within 1hr after the specimen is drawn.

Required volume

  • Optimal volume – 2 Full K2 EDTA tubes
  • Minimum volume 0.5 mL in a K2 EDTA tube or 200 uL of capillary K2 EDTA

Transport and stability

  • Specimens for slide screening should not be more than 48hrs old.
  • BINAX NOW malaria kit specimens may be stored for up to 72hrs at 2-8°C
  • Smears should be made within 1 hour of collection
  • Slides are kept for one year

Rejection criteria

  • Clotted specimen

  • Inappropriate anticoagulant used in collection

Testing Information

Relevant clinical history

  • Country visited

  • Date of return to Canada

Performance

Methodology

  • Initial screening done with BINAX NOW Malaria Kit – Rapid Immunodiagnostic test.
  • 2 films are stained with Wright’ Giemsa stain
  • If confirmation is required slides are then stained with Giemsa stain.

Days/times performed

  • 24hrs/day 7 days per week

Maximum laboratory time

  • Physician and Hematopathologist are immediately notified of all positive results.
  • Public health is faxed a copy of positive results.
  • Slides are reviewed by Hematopathologist within 24 hrs.
  • Any positive results over the weekend or Statutory holidays are paged to the hematopathologist on call.
  • Positive results are referred to Saskatoon for PCR testing on the initial sample.
  • For subsequent testing the LIS will look back 30 days before reflexing testing again.

Specimen retention time

  • One month

Last Updated: October 10, 2025