Skin snip biopsy
From IDWiki
Indications
- For diagnosis of cutaneous filariases such as onchocerciasis
Contraindications
- None
Equipment
- Either a needle and scalpel, or a sclerocorneal biopsy punch
Procedure
- The biopsy is performed using a sclerocorneal biopsy punch or by elevating a small cone of skin (3 mm in diameter) with a needle and shaving it off with a scalpel. This will result in the removal of around 2 mg of tissue.
- The sites for the skin snip are usually over the iliac crest, the scapula, and the lower extremities. Six snips provide the most diagnostic sensitivity.
- The tissue is then incubated in normal saline at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the microfilariae (larvae) to emerge. The microfilariae can then be seen by microscopy.
