PREPARATION OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR

A Peripheral blood smear (PBS) or Blood film is required to be made from capillary blood or from a drop of blood from an EDTA (anticoagulated) blood sample. Blood smears are needed for microscopic examination of the blood. Most commonly blood smears are used for the Differential Leukocyte count (DLC). The DLC involves the counting of 100 white blood cells (WBCs) noting the number, type, and characteristics of all the blood cells which aids the physician in diagnosing viral infections, bacterial infections, Parasitic infection and certain blood disorders such as Anemia, leukemia, bacterial or parasitic infection etc.

Commonly, two types of blood smears are prepared for the diagnosis as well as prognosis of any abnormalities (if present). The Thin blood smear is prepared for studying the morphology of the blood cells and for the identification of microbial agents. The Thick blood smears are prepared for detecting the Blood parasites such as Plasmodium spp. (Malaria parasite),  Wuchereria bancrofti & Brugia malayi (Lymphatic filariasis), Leishmania donovani or other species of Leishmania (Leishmaniasis), Babesia spp. (Babesiosis) etc.

THIN PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

PRINCIPLE OF THIN PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

The Thin Peripheral Blood smear is made by placing a well-mixed drop of blood 1 to 2 mm in diameter & 1/4 inch from the edge of the clean microscopic glass slide. The drop should be in the center line of the glass slide. These margins are left onto the glass slide to get a region where the cells are spaced far enough apart to be counted and differentiated. Using a second slide as the spreader, the blood is streaked into a thin film in the tongue-like shape and allowed to dry. The blood smear is then fixed and stained with Romanowski stain for microscopic examination.

MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIN PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

• Syringe & needle
• EDTA vial
• Tourniquet
• 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Sterile Lancet
• Microscopic glass slides

PROCEDURE FOR THIN PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

⇒ Collect the blood sample from the capillary or venipuncture

Check out How to do a Capillary blood collection?

BLOOD COLLECTION BY CAPILLARY PUNCTURE

Check out How to collect the blood sample by Venipuncture?

⇒ Now, if the blood sample is obtained by venipuncture, use a capillary tube to transfer a drop of blood from the tube onto the clean grease-free microscopic glass slide. If a finger puncture or heel puncture is made, discard the first drop of blood and then dispense a drop of blood from the puncture site onto the clean microscopic glass slide. Place the drop of blood in the center on one side of the glass slide leaving about 1 cm margins.

⇒ Place the specimen glass slide on a flat surface and hold it with the index finger and the thumb of the left hand (for Right-handed peoples). Now, Place a smooth, clean edge of the spreader slide on the specimen slide at an angle of about 30° – 45°.

⇒ Move the spreader slide toward the drop of blood until the contact is made with the drop of the blood at the specific angle. Then move the spreader slide smoothly and rapidly forward over the specimen slide, drawing the blood behind it into a thin film that should be tongue-shaped.

⇒ Allow the blood smear to air-dry completely. Do not blow air on the slide from any source in an effort to enhance drying, it may distort the smear.

⇒ Using a lead pencil or glass marking pencil, write the Name, Identification no. and the Date on the frosted end of the slide. Do not use a wax pencil or marker or any Pen as it dissolves and washed out during the staining process.

Variations in Angle of Spreader

The angle of the spreader varies with the thickness or Viscosity of the blood to obtain an ideal smear. The conditions like Polycythemia (increase in the Red blood cell count), Dehydration or any condition which increases the Packed cell volume or Hematocrit value is associated with the increase in the viscosity of blood. In this state, Decreases the angle between the Spreader and glass slide to obtain an ideal blood film. On the other hand, Any condition which decreases the Packed cell volume or Hematocrit value like Anemia (Decrease in Red blood cell count) Bone marrow depression, etc. associated with the decrease in the viscosity of blood. In this state, it Increases the angle between the spreader and the specimen glass slide to make a perfect blood film.

THICK PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

PRINCIPLE OF THICK PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR METHOD

SAHIL BATRA

Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.