Knott’s concentration method

KNOTTS CONCENTRATION METHOD

This is the standard test used to screen microfilariae in blood which includes lysis of erythrocytes, fixation and staining of larvae.

Procedure

  • Mix 1 ml of heparinized or EDTA treated blood with 9 ml of 2% formalin in a 15 ml tube, mix by inverting the tube several times after closing the tube with thumb.
  • Centrifuge the tube for 5 min at 1500 rpm, then discard the supernatant.
  • Add 1 or a few drops of 0.1% methylene blue or 0.2% methyl green solution to the sediment and mix well.
  • Remove a drop of stained sediment with a pipette, spread it on a slide and place a cover slip.
  • Examine all the sediment, drop by drop, under the microscope.

*** Note that heparinized (EDTA-treated) and formalinized blood samples are suitable for mailing to a laboratory for identification of microfilariae.

Last modified: Tuesday, 17 April 2012, 6:23 AM