The gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria involves microscopy with visualization of Giemsa-stained parasites in a blood sample. Species determination is made based on morphological characteristics of the four species of human malaria parasites and the infected red blood cells.

How do you test malaria with a microscope?

Malaria parasites can be identified by examining under the microscope a drop of the patient’s blood, spread out as a “blood smear” on a microscope slide. Prior to examination, the specimen is stained (most often with the Giemsa stain) to give the parasites a distinctive appearance.

What is MP microscopy?

Peripheral smear study for malarial parasites – The MP test Light microscopy of thick and thin stained blood smears remains the standard method for diagnosing malaria.