Between 300-500 million people are infected with malaria each year, and more than one million, mainly children, die from the disease. These laboratory bench aids are aimed at health workers responsible for diagnosing malaria by microscopic examination of blood films, but will also be useful as teaching aids. The bench aids present photomicrographs, with explanatory text, that show many of the possible variations of malaria parasites.
Bench Aids for Malaria Microscopy is a set of twelve plastic laminated A4-size plates produced as aids for the microscopic diagnosis of human malaria. They are intended for use as both a practical tool for health workers engaged in the routine diagnosis of malaria infections and a teaching aid for students and trainees. This new set has been compiled on the basis of feedback received from a wide range of professionals and experts who had been using the second edition of the Bench Aids for Diagnosing Malaria Infections (WHO, 2000). The bench aids present photomicrographs that show the various species and morphological forms of human malaria in thick and thin blood films. Descriptions of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae are provided together with detailed instructions on the preparation and use of buffer and staining solutions. The photomicrographs, all at x1000 magnification and stained with Romanowsky stains, show many of the possible variations of malaria parasites. Common faults in making blood films are also illustrated and explained, as well as advice for safe handling blood specimens are also included, to minimize exposure to hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. New sections have been added on anticoagulants and diagnosis of mixed infections, and recognition of other common parasites in peripheral blood smears. The bench aids are produced in a weatherproof plastic-sealed format that is robust and easy to use in the field and at the laboratory bench.
A set of nine A-4 color plates with 118 photomicrographs illustrating the appearance and diagnostic features of all the common intestinal helminths and protozoan parasites known to infect humans. Produced in a robust plasticized format, the plates can be used as either a guide for laboratory and field workers in endemic countries, or a teaching aid for students and trainees. The aim is to help the microscopist ascertain the presence of parasites in feces, whether they be minute protozoan cysts or large helminth eggs, and to identify them correctly. With this goal in mind, the bench aids include pertinent laboratory instructions as well as high-quality images. The photomicrographs illustrate diagnostic features of each of the parasites as they appear in different preparations and at different magnifications. Each photomicrograph is produced with a measuring bar and accompanied by a short explanatory legend, which draws attention to distinctive features that help confirm diagnosis. Helminth eggs are illustrated in the first 36 photomicrographs, which show the diagnostic stages of the most common helminthes, including nematodes, cestodes, schistosomes, and other trematodes. The remaining photomicrographs offer advice on the more difficult task of detecting and identifying intestinal protozoan trophozoites and cysts. Relevant laboratory techniques are described on the reverse side of the plates. Additional laboratory aids include dichotomous keys for the identification of amoebic trophozoites trophozoites of intestinal flagellates, and cysts of amoebae and flagellates.
This field manual is intended to help health professionals and public health coordinators working in emergency situations prevent, detect and control the major communicable diseases encountered by affected populations. The manual is the result of collaboration among a number of WHO departments and several external partner agencies in reviewing existing guidelines on communicable disease control and adapting them to emergency situations. The manual deals with the fundamental principles of communicable disease control in emergencies, which are: Rapid assessment to identify the communicable disease threats faced by the emergency-affected population, including those with epidemic potential, and define the health status of the population by conducting a rapid assessment; Prevention to prevent communicable disease by maintaining a healthy physical environment and good general living conditions; Surveillance to set up or strengthen disease surveillance system with an early warning mechanism to ensure the early reporting of cases to monitor disease trends, and to facilitate prompt detection and response to outbreaks; outbreak control to ensure outbreaks are rapidly detected and controlled through adequate preparedness (i.e. stockpiles, standard treatment protocols and staff training) and rapid response (i.e.confirmation, investigation and implementation of control measures); and disease management to diagnose and treat cases promptly with trained staff using effective treatment and standard protocols at all health facilities.
