Malaria/Babesia/Other Blood Parasites

Test Code
831


Alias/See Also
LAB883


CPT Codes
87207

Preferred Specimen
At least 2 thick and 2 thin smears prepared from capillary source (finger) and
1 whole blood EDTA (lavender-top) tube


Minimum Volume
One thick and one thin smear and 1 whole blood EDTA (lavender-top) tube


Instructions
Blood samples are to be taken, and slides prepared when the patient presents with symptoms of malaria, and every 6 hours for 36 hours. Specimens obtained during the febrile state yield the greatest number of parasites in circulating blood.

It is very important that at least one thick and one thin blood film smear must be submitted on two separate glass slides with one frosted end, in addition to the EDTA (lavender-top) tube. One slide should be smeared as is done with a differential exam and one slide should have a drop of blood dried in an area about the size of a dime.

Note: Travel history (name of country and when visited) and anti-malarial agents should be noted on the requisition.


Transport Container
Slides in slide holders and an EDTA (lavender-top) tube


Transport Temperature
Room temperature


Specimen Stability
Slides
Room temperature: 30 days
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable

Whole blood
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis • Clotted specimens • Specimens out of stability


Methodology
Microscopic Examination of stained slides with Giemsa stain

Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
2-5 days


Reference Range
Negative


Clinical Significance
The identification of malarial parasites, Babesia, and other blood parasites is used to determine treatment and prognosis. Calculating percent parasitemia is helpful in monitoring the therapeutic response. Microfilaria can be detected from a Giemsa stain, but this test in not recommended for microfilaria detection. One negative result cannot rule out infection.

Resources:
The CDC Malaria Hotline at 770-488-7788
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DPDx www.cdc.gov/dpdx/index.html


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042




The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.