Evaluation of Giemsa and Fields' Stains for the Detection of Malaria Parasites in Blood Smears

Abstract EN

The aimof this study was to assess the use of Giemsa and Fields' stains in microscopic diagnosis of malaria.

A total of 203 patients referred to laboratory in Khartoum teaching hospital for microscopic confirmation of malaria were included.

Form each aField s' and Giemsa s' stained thick blood smears were prepared and examinded microscopically. Malaria parasite was detected in 67 (33%) and in 55 (27.1%) of Giemsa-stained and Field's-stained thick blood smears respectively.

The mean parasite count in Giemsa-stained thick blood smears (5964/ml) was significantly greater than in Field's-stained thick blood smears (4459/ml).More parasites were detected in Giemsa-stsined smears in patients with low parasitaemia.

Therefore, Giemsa stain was exclusively recommended for staining thick blood smears for malaria diagnosis in sudan.