title: Laboratory evaluation of a new technique for counting microfilariae in blood.
abstract: The technique involves taking a measured volume of blood (20-40 mm3) from a finger or ear prick on to a conventional 3 X 1 in microscope slide and lysing it with water. Microfilariae could either be counted immediately, whilst still alive, or the smear dried, fixed and stained. A comparison between counts of microfilariae in freshly prepared slides and stained slides showed that few microfilariae were lost in the staining process.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D002009:Brugia; D002415:Cats; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005368:Filariasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008722:Methods; D008842:Microfilariae