Specialized Diagnostics: Blood Film Examination

Several parasitic protozoa (e.g. Trypanosoma and Babesia), as well as the first-stage larvae (microfilariae) of some tissue-dwelling nematodes (e.g. D. immitis), can be detected in stained films of peripheral blood.

Overview

Several parasitic protozoa (e.g. Trypanosoma and Babesia), as well as the first-stage larvae (microfilariae) of some tissue-dwelling nematodes (e.g. D. immitis), can be detected in stained films of peripheral blood. Motile microfilariae of D. immitis can be seen in thick, unstained blood films, although specific identification is impossible.