Plasmodium parasites are always intracellular, and they demonstrate, if stained correctly, blue cytoplasm with a red chromatin dot. Common errors in reading malaria smears are caused by platelets overlying a red blood cell, concerin about missing a positive slide, and misreading artifacts as parasites. Persons suspected of having malaria but whose blood smears do not demonstrate the presence of parasites should have blood smears repeated approximately every 12-24 hours for 3 consecutive days. If smears remain negative, then the diagnosis of malaria is unlikely. For rapid diagnosis, make the thick and thin films on separate slides.
Air dry the thin film, fix it with methyl alcohol, and immediately stain it.
If no parasites are found on the thin film, wait until the thick film is dry and examine it for organisms that may not have been detected on the thin preparation. In Figures A1 and A2, the hands are shown ungloved to better illustrate their placement during the procedures. To request a copy of this document or for questions concerning this document, please contact the person or office listed below. If requesting a document, please specify the complete name of the document as well as the address to which you would like it mailed.