Practical Examining Blood Smears for Plasmodium Parasites

Materials Needed:
 Microscope with oil immersion lens
 Glass slides and cover slips
 Sterile lancet or needle
 Alcohol swabs
 Blood sample
 Wright-Giemsa stain
 Staining tray
 Immersion oil
 Gloves
 Disinfectant
Preparation of Blood Smear:
1. Collect Blood:
 Clean fingertip with alcohol swab.
 Prick finger with sterile lancet.
 Place a drop of blood near one end of a slide.
2. Prepare Smear:
 Use another slide to spread the blood drop thinly across the slide.
 Label the slide.
Staining the Blood Smear:
3. Air Dry:
 Let the smear air dry completely.
4. Fixing (if required):
 Cover the dried smear with methanol for 1-2 minutes, then air dry.
5. Staining:
 Cover smear with Wright-Giemsa stain for 10-15 minutes.
 Rinse gently with water and air dry.
Examining the Blood Smear:
6. Microscope Setup:
 Turn on the light and place the slide on the stage.
 Start with a lower magnification (10x or 40x).
 7. Oil Immersion:
 Apply immersion oil on the stained smear.
 Rotate the 100x objective lens into place.
8. Examine Smear:
 Adjust the fine focus.
 Systematically scan the smear.
 Look for Plasmodium parasites (ring-shaped trophozoites, schizonts, and
gametocytes).
Recording and Reporting:
9. Document Findings:
 Record the presence and stage of any parasites.
 Estimate parasitemia if required.
10. Clean Up:
 Dispose of lancets and gloves properly.
 Clean the microscope and work area.
Practical Examining Stool Samples for Roundworm (Ascaris) Eggs
Materials Needed:
 Microscope
 Glass slides and cover slips
 Stool sample
 Applicator stick or spatula
 Saline solution or iodine stain
 Gloves
 Disinfectant
Preparation of Stool Sample:
1. Collect Sample:
 Use an applicator stick to obtain a small amount of stool.
 Place a small portion of stool on a glass slide.
2. Prepare Smear:
 Mix the stool sample with a drop of saline solution or iodine stain.
 Spread the mixture thinly on the slide.
 Place a cover slip over the smear.
Examining the Stool Smear:
3. Microscope Setup:
 Turn on the light and place the slide on the microscope stage.
 Start with a lower magnification (10x or 40x).
4. Examine Smear:
 Adjust the fine focus.
 Systematically scan the smear.
 Look for characteristic Ascaris eggs, which are oval with a thick shell and sometimes
a mammillated outer layer.
Recording and Reporting:
5. Document Findings:
 Record the presence of Ascaris eggs.
 Estimate the egg count if required for quantification.
6. Clean Up:
 Dispose of gloves and applicator sticks properly.
 Clean the microscope and work area with disinfectant.