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Hi everybody,

I have some trouble with my specimen of malaria parasite used for teaching.

First, we had some specimen with blood film uncovered. The film peeled after a time of using. Then I decide to seal the film with a lamella. It seemed better but there's a trouble appeared then. The specimen used frequently is fading. In microscope view, the parasite, the leukocyte in thick blood film disappear little by little. Whilst, the stored specimen (covered) is still in good.

Could you guy help me to solve this problem?
Is there any case that the immersion oil made the trouble like this?
Someone can help me to explain this?

Thank so much!

Hi vanabc,

I have no personal experience with the malaria parasite however my opinion is that it is very poor practice to keep uncovered slides for a prolonged time. If you wish to attempt to salvage the faded specimen then I would suggest the following.
Remove the "lamella" as gently as possible.
Restain the slide.
Dry and mount in a suitable medium with a coverslip.

Some other member may have better advice.

I think the air probably oxidises the stain rendering it coluorless.

You will need lots of good luck as well as good management to restore this. I wish you the best of luck.

Peter.

Oh, thank Peter. You're my first hope!

But I wonder if I remove the cover my specimen would be destroyed by the students when they use immersion oil for observing. Is there any possibility of that case?

Hi vanabc,

Please read my post again. I did say to mount in a suitable medium with a coverslip this should be done, allowing a resonable time for the mountant to harden, before you let the students near them.

Peter.