A technique has been developed for performing rapid white cell counts and differential white cell counts at the bedside which uses a pocket McArthur microscope and a development of Field's staining technique. A fixed volume thick film technique is used for the total white cell count that uses the minimum of equipment, all of which is disposable. In a study of samples from 88 patients using the thick film technique and standard laboratory techniques the thick film counts fell within 1.1 X 10(9)/1 (mean) of the standard laboratory count. This compares with a value of 1.0 X 10(9)/1 (mean) for within laboratory variability, using different electronic counters on the same specimen.

Family Practice↗

PubMed1983

The reliability of the microscopic diagnosis of malaria in the field and in the laboratory.

Four hundred and seventy thick and thin blood films were prepared from 129 villagers in the Solomon Islands. After staining with Giemsa, Leishman's, and Field's stains, they were randomized and examined in the field, using a miniature McArthur microscope. The specimens were then examined in the local central laboratory and by a microbiologist at a hospital in England. Films over which there was disagreement were examined by an expert at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The rate of false negative diagnoses (for thick films) was 3% for the field worker, 9% for the malaria laboratory, and 27% for the English hospital. Field diagnosis was no less reliable than laboratory diagnosis (P less than 0.001). Field's stain was the most reliable stain for both thick films (P less than 0.001) and thin films (P less than 0.05), for which a new staining technique is described.

Azure Stains↗

PubMed1982

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as infectious mononucleosis with a false positive monospot test.

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Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Keeping up to date.

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Costs and Cost Analysis↗