Method and apparatus for the detection of microfilariae

摘要

In the detection of microfilariae wherein a blood sample is drawn into a syringe, the blood mixed with an aqueous lysing solution, filtered through a pad, the filter pad stained and examined on a glass slide under a microscope, the improvement which comprises mixing said lysing solution with said blood by drawing said lysing solution into said blood-containing syringe, and discharging the mixture through said filter pad, the blood sample thereby being minimally exposed for contamination. Desirably the lysing solution is employed in about 5 to 15 times the volume of the blood sample and comprises about 1% of a polyoxyalkylene phenol ether, about 1.75% of sodium citratecitric acid wherein the sodium citrate is present in about 3 times the amount of the citric acid and about 0.1% of methyl p-hydroxy-benzoate, the pH being about 6. Advantageously the filter pad comprises a polycarbonate film having pores of about 8 microns in diameter and it is stained on the glass slide with a gentian violet solution containing safranin O and propylene glycol. The apparatus includes a syringe having an open-ended projection which is of such size as snugly to fit in the outlet of the lysing solution dispenser and the inlet of a holder for said filter pad, so as to minimize any possible contamination.