Fluid sample preparation

For all fluid samples, it is recommended to prepare a direct/unconcentrated slide and a sediment/concentrated slide

Materials Needed

Make sure fluid is well mixed by gently inverting the fluid tube a few times.
Use a transfer pipette or small syringe to place one drop of fluid near the frosted end of the Slide.
Place a second spreader slide perpendicularly on top of the drop of fluid, allowing the fluid to spread across the slide, and then gently push the spreader slide away to evenly spread the material without putting any downward pressure on the spreader slide as this may result in cell lysis. Avoid spreading to the very end of the slide.
Label this slide as “direct” and allow to dry completely (either air dry or with a fan).

Make sure fluid is well mixed by gently inverting the fluid tube a few times
Transfer a small amount of fluid (approximately 500 µL) into a tube that can be used for centrifugation (such as a urine tube) and centrifuge the sample similar to a urine sediment.
After centrifugation, a pellet of material will be visible in the bottom of the tube.
Remove most of the supernatant with a pipette and discard. Gently remix the concentrated pellet in the bottom of the tube with the remaining supernatant.
Place a drop of this sediment onto a clean glass slide near the frosted edge and spread the material in the same fashion as described for the direct smear, ensuring not to apply pressure which may cause cell lysis.
Label this slide as “sediment” and allow to dry completely (either air dry or with a fan).