PROMPT DETECTION OF MALARIA BY FLUORESCENT MICROSCOPY WITH INTERFERENCE FILTER AND LIGHT MICROSCOPE

Aim: The present study is planned to compare acridine orange (A.O) staining with Giemsa staining by using light microscopy with IF and also with fluorescent microscopy for detection of parasites in peripheral blood of patients suffering from clinically suspected cases of malaria.

Place and Duration: In the Pathology department of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore/ Jinnah Hospital Lahore for one-year duration from April 2019 to April 2020.

Methods: 200 patients with fever and chills were included. General tests such as Hb, TLC, and platelets were performed by the sysmex K-1000. Blood thin and thick membranes were prepared and stained according to the protocol given, ie, by Giemsa and AO staining, and the slides were examined with various microscopes, ie light microscopy, IFS light microscope and fluorescence microscope.

Results: Of the 200 patients, 170 (85%) patients tested positive for parasitemia and 30 (15%) patients were negative for the malaria parasite. fib, TLC and platelet counts were all decreased compared to MP negative cases.

Conclusion: IFS microscopy with acridine staining showed early detection of malaria parasites by counting fewer fields compared to light microscopy with Giemsa staining. The time spent detecting parasites was also significantly reduced in the IFS microscope thanks to the use of AO dyes.

Key words: malaria parasite, Giemsa stain, acridine orange.