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Blood Parasites (Microscopic Review) Other Than Malaria, Blood - Saskatoon

Discipline

Hematology

Overview

Alias

  • Babesia
  • Trypanosomes
  • Microfilaria
     

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Blood (4 thick and 4 thin blood films)

Specimen collection container

Collection procedure

  • Thick and thin unstained blood films need to be made at collection site within 30 minutes of collection according to specific guidelines for microscopic review
  • RUH, SPH, or SCH for collection preferably
  •  Referred-in specimens (not collected within Saskatoon) sent to St. Paul’s Hospital first

Required volume

  • Optimal volume: 4.0 mL
  • Minimum volume: 1.0 mL

(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)

  • Pediatric/capillary volume: 0.5 mL

Transport and stability

  • Thick and thin blood films should be stained and reviewed within 24 hours
  • Thick and thin blood films made greater than 30 minutes after collection are reviewed but reported with a disclaimer comment
  • Thick and thin blood films are kept for one year

Rejection criteria

Testing Information

Relevant clinical history

  • Country visited
  • Date of return to Canada

Performance

Methodology

  • Giemsa (Azure B type) stain diluted with phosphate buffer (pH 7.2)

Days/times performed

  • Availability - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Testing site - •    RUH Hematology

Maximum laboratory time

Results reporting

  •  Results available within 24 to 72hour of receipt in the RUH lab following review by the Hematopathologist on service
  • If a positive parasite is suspected, the Hematopathologist is contacted immediately 
  • All positive blood parasites results are reported immediately to the physician, Public Health Services and Infectious Disease Control
     

Specimen retention time

  • One month

Last Updated: October 10, 2025