The density of microfilaria in the blood can be estimated by counting the number of microfilaria seen in thick smears prepared from a known volume of whole blood.
Method:
(1) A known volume of blood (typically 20 microliters) is collected in a capillary pipette.
(2) A thick smear is prepared from the capillary pipette.
(3) The number of microfilaria in the thick smear is counted.
(4) Multiple such smears are examined and the number on each slide averaged.
number of microfilaria per mL blood =
= (average number of microfilaria) * (1000 µL/mL) / (volume of capillary pipette in µL)
If a 20 µL pipette is used:
number of microfilaria in 1 mL blood =
= (average number of microfilaria) * (50)
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