Identification and Enumeration of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites by Light Microscopy

Augustina Frimpong; Frederica Dedo Partey; Michael Fokuo Ofori

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_1

Identification and Enumeration of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites by Light Microscopy

Methods Mol Biol. 2022:2470:3-10. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_1.

Authors

Augustina Frimpong¹, Frederica Dedo Partey¹, Michael Fokuo Ofori²

Affiliations

¹ Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
² Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. mofori@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.

PMID: 35881333
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_1

Abstract

Estimating malaria parasite density is important for patient care and management in rural and urban health centers in endemic areas. Here, we describe methodologically the protocols and methods to identify and enumerate Plasmodium falciparum parasites from infected blood using light microscopy. We provide step-by-step protocols and evaluate any possible drawbacks that may limit the methods and prospects of using light microscopy in diagnosing malaria.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Giemsa stain; Microscopy; P. falciparum; Parasitemia.

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Malaria* / diagnosis
Malaria, Falciparum* / diagnosis
Malaria, Falciparum* / parasitology
Microscopy / methods
Parasitemia / diagnosis
Parasitemia / parasitology
Parasites*
Plasmodium falciparum