Quality analysis of malaria blood smears of fever patients in Changzhou City in 2014

Abstract

To understand the quality of blood smears for Plasmodium detection in Changzhou City, so as to provide the technical support for malaria surveillance in the post-elimination period. The blood smears of fever patients from each cities (districts) in Changzhou City in 2014, including more than 3% of the negatives and all the positives, were selected. The quality of the blood smear making, dyeing, cleanliness and results were reviewed by the experts from the municipal malaria microscopy station, and the data were analyzed statistically. Totally 996 negative blood smears were reviewed in 2014, with a review rate of 4.52%. The qualified rates of blood smear making, dyeing and cleanliness were 92.87%, 93.27% and 94.48%, respectively. A total of 34 positive blood smears were reviewed, and there were no false detections and leak detections. The qualified rates of blood smear making and dyeing were more than 90% in all the seven cities (districts). As for qualified rate of cleanliness, except the rate in Qishuyan District (81.36%), those in the other six cities (districts) were all above 90%. The qualified rates of blood smear making, dyeing and cleanliness were all more than 90% in first-class, second-class and third-class hospitals. The major quality defects of the blood smears were sediment, abnormal making and thick membrane shedding, and the proportions were 25.91%, 21.76% and 19.17%, respectively. The quality of blood smears for Plasmodium detection in Changzhou City is satisfying. In the future, the training and supervision still should be strengthened to guarantee the capacity of microscopic examinations for Plasmodium detection in the surveillance of post-elimination period.