Comparison of Peripheral and Venous Blood Smears Microscopic for Detection Density of Plasmodium Falciparum in Jayapura General Hospital, Papua, Indonesia

Background: Falciparum malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium falciparum which attacks humans throughout the world, especially in malaria endemic areas. In order to eradication the disease and avoid complications that may arise from severe infection. There is need to improve in management which includes evaluation of the current diagnostic methods. Diagnosis of malaria in resources limited and developing countries are commonly done by the detection of blood stages of the Plasmodium in Giemsa-stained blood smears by light microscopy. Blood smears are commonly prepared still until now using peripheral or venous blood. Objective: To comparing the sensitivity of peripheral or venous blood for the detection density of malaria parasites based on ages group and gender. Methods: Two blood smears were prepared from the peripheral and venous blood with EDTA from one patient, air dried, stained and examined following standard protocol by expert microscopic. Results: Total samples of 40 patients, including. Parasite density of P. falciparum more than 10.000 per microliter in peripheral blood was found positive as much (25/40) slightly more rather than venous blood (21/40). Based on gender, peripheral blood of male as much (17/40) slightly more rather than in venous blood (14/40). The age group more than 20 years old, in peripheral was found positive as much (21/40) slightly more than in venous blood (16/40). Conclusions: Microscopic examination of malaria parasites will be more accurate using peripheral blood smears rather than venous blood with and without EDTA.