Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory, 2nd ed

Overview

This manual is intended for use mainly in medical laboratories in developing countries. It is designed particularly for use in peripheral laboratories in such countries (i.e. in small or medium-sized laboratories attached to regional hospitals) and in dispensaries and rural health centres where the laboratory technician often has to work alone. The language used has been kept as simple as possible although common technical terms are employed when necessary.

The manual describes examination procedures that can be carried out with a microscope or other simple apparatus. Such procedures include the following:

• the examination of stools for helminth eggs;
• the examination of blood for malaria parasites;
• the examination of sputum for tubercle bacilli;
• the examination of urine for bile pigments;
• the examination of blood for determination of the white cell (leukocyte) type number fraction (differential leukocyte count)
• the examination of blood for determination of the glucose concentration.

The intention is to provide an account of basic laboratory techniques that are useful to peripheral laboratories and can be carried out with a limited range of basic equipment. Some laboratories may not be able to perform all the procedures described. For example, a laboratory in a rural health centre may not be able to carry out certain blood chemistry or serological tests.