This intensive course, with a high practical content, is designed for medical officers and biomedical scientists. It concentrates on the biology and differential diagnosis of malaria in the laboratory, but other blood-related parasites are also included. 

The course comprises short presentations by specialist staff, followed by practical work at the bench to provide experience in the identification of parasites. Laboratory sessions also provide opportunities for discussion with staff on points of interest to individual course participants. 

Course content: 

• Biology of malaria parasites
• Diagnosis

• morphological differential of blood-stage parasites
• other approaches
• quantification
• Morphological anomalies and artefacts
• Malaria and the traveller / clinical aspects in relation to laboratory diagnosis
• Diagnostic problems and other self-assessment exercises
• Introduction to other blood and tissue parasites
• Course evaluation 

Please note that LSTM maintains the right to cancel short courses at short notice if fewer than seven applicants are registered. 

Timetable 

Day 1

• Malaria morphology
• Malaria morphology practical
• Other techniques for malaria diagnosis
• RDTs practical and demonstration
• Diagnostic parasitology

Day 2

• Haemoflagellates
• Haemoflagellates practical and demonstration
• Filariasis
• Filariasis practical and demonstration
• Spot test
• Post-course test
• Q&A session