Microscopy of biological samples

Abstract

A method is provided for detection of birefringent particles in a blood sample from a subject. The blood sample is processed to lyse red blood cells and the processed blood sample is imaged using an optical microscope configured for back scattering dark field microscopy. The imaging comprises illuminating the processed blood sample with light having a first polarisation state, capturing an image of light scattered by the processed blood sample having a second polarisation state different from the first polarisation state, and analysing the image to identify birefringent particles. Either a magnification of the optical microscope is at most 10x magnification; or a thickness of the processed blood sample is greater than a depth of field of the optical microscope and the imaging further comprises scanning the focal plane of the optical microscope through the thickness of the processed blood sample during the capturing of the image.

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