Bench Aids for the Diagnosis of Malaria Infections
Experienced health workers can often diagnose malaria from the way a patient looks and feels. To confirm the diagnosis, however, the patient’s blood must undergo laboratory examination. These bench aids support the use of microscopy on thick and thin blood films as an important means of malaria diagnosis.
Bench Aids for the Diagnosis of Malaria Infections is a set of twelve plastic laminated A4-size plates produced as aids for the microscopic diagnosis of human malaria. They present photomicrographs that show the various species and morphological forms of human malaria in thick and thin blood films. Descriptions of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae are provided together with detailed instructions on the preparation and use of buffer and staining solutions. The photomicrographs, all at x1000 magnification and stained with Romanowsky stains, show many of the possible variations of malaria parasites. Common faults in making blood films are also illustrated and explained.
The bench aids are produced in a weatherproof plastic-sealed format that is robust and easy to use in the field and at the laboratory bench. The plastic plates can be ordered at WHO library.
- Tool Designer Organization:
- World Health Organization
- Download:
- PDF version of Bench Aids
in English - Contact:
- CDS - HTM Information Resource Centre, World Health Organization
Summary of main features
- Purpose
- These bench aids help to confirm a malaria diagnosis by microscopic examination of blood film
- Scope of interventions
- Diagnosis – microscopy
- Limitations
- Output
- "...the set will be of immense value not only to a beginner, but also to many experienced microscopists, intending to compare some parasites of doubtful morphology with the perfect image of the development stage of a given species of plasmodium. For teaching malaria microscopy these colour plates will be ideal." -- Tropical Doctor
- Time frame
- As early as possible to diagnose malaria patients and ensure prompt and adapted treatment
- Potential users
- The bench aids are intended for use as both a practical tool for health workers engaged in the routine diagnosis of malaria infections and a teaching aid for students and trainees
- Skills required
- To be competent in malaria microscopy technicians must have adequate skills in preparing, staining, reading, and interpreting blood films
- Type of software
- NA
- User manual available
- NA
- Type and length of training required
- Available languages
- English and Spanish
- Country applications
- Last update and version
- Second edition 1999; WHO is considering putting the material onto a CD-ROM