This test is appropriate if the suspected microfilaria is wucheria bancrofti, loa loa, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Mansonella perstaris, or Mansonella ozzardi.
Preferred Specimen(s) 3 mL whole blood, Slide smear
Instructions Store the slide in the slide box only after the smear has dried up.
Transport Container EDTA vial (lavender-top) tube, Slide box
Transport Temperature Room temperature
Reject Criteria Received frozen
Methodology Geimsa Stain, Microscopic Examination
Clinical Significance Detection of microfilariae in blood was the standard approach to diagnosing lymphatic filarial infection (or loiasis), and it is the one still required today for both brugian filariasis and those situations where the antigen detection test is not available for bancroftian filariasis.