| At what temperature should I store the QBC Malaria Test? |
|
The QBC Malaria Test can be stored from 16°C to 37°C (60°F to 99°F).
|
| |
| What type of sample is required for QBC Malaria Test testing? |
|
Whole blood samples collected from either a capillary stick or a venous blood draw (EDTA purple top tube).
|
| |
| How much blood is required to test on the QBC Malaria Test? |
|
The QBC Malaria Test requires 55 to 65 µl of blood.
|
| |
| How long can a venous sample be stored prior to testing in the QBC Malaria Test? |
|
Refrigerated samples stored at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F) are stable for up to 8 hours.
Note: Bring the sample back to room temperature before you prepare the Malaria Test.
|
| |
| How long can a centrifuged QBC Malaria Test be stored prior to review? |
|
Although it is recommended to review a QBC Malaria Test immediately after preparation, it is possible to store a centrifuged test for three days at 16°C to 37°C (60°F to 99°F) or two weeks at 4°C (39°F).
|
| |
| What kind of microscope is required to review a QBC Malaria Test? |
|
The QBC Malaria Test is designed to work with a fluorescence microscope.
QBC Diagnostics offers the QBC ParaLens Advance Microscope Attachment which can provide fluorescence capabilities to a standard light microscope.
|
| |
| What kind of centrifuge is required to prepare a QBC Malaria Test sample? |
|
The QBC Malaria Test must be centrifuged at 14,400 x g rpm.
The QBC Centrifuge was specifically designed to spin the QBC Malaria tube, as well as other QBC blood tubes, to this specification.
|
| |
| How do I focus my microscope on the QBC Malaria Test? |
If using a lens of 60x magnification ParaLens Advance, apply 2 to 3 drops of immersion oil to the buffy coat layer of the tube.
From a side perspective, visually line the lens to the buffy coat layer (the buffy coat layer will appear slightly fluorescent when aligned).
Gradually lower the lens until it touches the oil.
There will be a distinct wicking effect when they touch.
Look through the eyepieces, and begin to focus downward.
When part of the sample is in focus, adjust the Y-axis until most of the surface area is in focus.
Once a sufficient percentage is in focus, refrain from adjusting the Y-axis.
Instead, manually rotate the tube using the tube closure.
|
| |
| How do I know if what I'm looking at is Malaria? |
|
Malaria has several distinctive characteristics, many of which are unique to the species and life-cycle stage.
For more detailed instructions on detecting and identifying malaria, please consult our training and literature resources.
|
| |
| Can I quantify using the QBC Malaria Test? |
The QBC Malaria Test provides an accurate and reproducible method of estimating the relative quantity of parasites using the "Plus System":
+(1+) = <1 parasite per QBC field
++(2+) = 1-10 parasites per QBC field
+++(3+) = 11-100 parasites per QBC field
++++(4+) => 100 per QBC field
This system can aid in following the progress of a patient under therapy and in comparing the level of parasitemia from one patient to another.
For complete quantification, no algorithm has been uniformly accepted in scientific literature.
A study conducted by Benito et al.
(Application and evaluation of QBC malaria diagnosis in a holodemic area. Feel free to visit our Scientific Studies page to read more.)
offers a possible algorithim for use with the QBC Malaria Test.
|
| |
| Can I speciate using the QBC Malaria Test? |
For proper speciation, many factors must be considered, including malaria morphology, location in the QBC tube, ratios between life forms, presence of multiple infections in a single RBC, morphology of gametocytes, staining characteristics, number of merozoites per schizont, and other characteristics.
Reports have indicated that it is possible to speciate using the QBC Malaria Test, but it takes experience
(Pornsilapatip et al., Detection of Plasmodia in Acridine Orange Stained Capillary Tubes (The QBC System); Rickman et al., Rapid Diagnosis of Malaria by Acridine Orange Staining of Centrifuged parasites. Feel free to visit our Scientific Studies page to read more. Also, refer to the application note for guidance on differentiating between vivax and falciparum.)
In all cases, a thin film should be used for verification.
|
