A novel mini-invasive finger-prick protocol for preparing blood micro-samples for morphological analysis of human erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy

Here we describe the development and optimization of a new protocol for the preparation and surface imaging by scanning electron microscope of human erythrocytes from blood micro-samples obtained by finger prick. By testing several key pre-analytical conditions for blood sampling, erythrocyte preservation, storage and imaging, we designed a rapid new minimally-invasive reproducible method for obtaining uniform deposition of an adequate number of erythrocytes with well-preserved morphology on a substrate. The possibility of obtaining reliable reproducible high resolution morphometric data on peripheral erythrocytes makes this protocol valuable for diagnostic and basic research purposes. •The blood sample preparation protocol is easy, efficient and reproducible.•The method is rapid and minimally invasive (requiring a minimal amount of blood).•The density of red blood cells is uniform and their morphology is preserved.•The method enables analysis of red blood cell shape.•The protocol is useful for diagnostic and basic research purposes.