A fluorescent method for counting Babesia, Anaplasma, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma following DNA staining with 33258 Hoechst (Bisbenzimide)

Abstract

A new counting method based on demonstrating blood parasites with the fluorescent dye 33258 Hoechst (Bisbenzimide) is described. Glutaraldehyde-fixed blood incubated in dye solution was dispensed as 1 mm³ droplets. Using a direct counting technique, accurate estimates of parasitacmia were obtained with Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. rodhaini, Plasmodium berghei, Trypanosoma lewisi and Anaplasma centrale.