THE LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA

Audits of malaria diagnosis in the UK have revealed shortcomings. The use of recommended procedures should improve the standard of malaria d iagnosis, Both thick and thin films should be examined. Thick films sh ould be stained unfixed with a Giemsa or modified Field's stain. Thin films should be fixed and stained with a Giemsa or a Leishman stain. A ll films should be examined for an adequate period of time by two obse rvers. In the case of P. falciparum infection parasites should be quan tified. Microscopy may be supplemented by an immunological or fluoresc ence-based method. Slides from all cases in which a diagnosis of malar ia is made should be sent to a reference centre for verification, Labo ratories should participate in a relevant NEQAS scheme and should take steps to ensure that all those carrying out malaria diagnosis maintai n their skills.