Blood Parasites - UC Health

Message

This specimen must be processed as a STAT Sample. Slides must be made within 1 hour. Draw sample Monday through Thursday before noon. Notify sendout department at NCMC 970-810-6400 that specimen will be coming. Specimen must be received at NCMC by 1:00 PM. STAT courier may be necessary. Send STAT to UC Health Microbiology.

Test Code

Blood Parasite UCH

Alias/See Also

UCH Code: LAB3267

Malaria

Trypanosomes

Babesia

Plasmodium falciparum

CPT Codes
87207

Includes

Blood Parasite test consists of a slide examination for Plasmodium (malaria) species, Babesia, Trypanosomes, and microfilariae. It may include a Malaria antigen test if not performed by the client.
For P. falciparum and Babesia species only, the percent of parasitized RBCs is used to determine the type of treatment given to a patient, and to assess the therapeutic response. Submit a second specimen at least 8 hours after treatment has been initiated to monitor parasitemia levels.
If testing for trypanosomes or microfilariae contact Infectious Disease Service for consultation of optimal collection times.

Preferred Specimen

One 4 ml purple top, EDTA whole blood, if possible.
- If testing for trypanosomes or microfilariae contact Infectious Disease Service for consultation of optimal collection times.
4-6 thick blood smears: 4-6 peripheral blood smears unstained and unfixed. Slides should be made within one hour of collection.
OPTIONAL: one thin smear stained with Wright-Giemsa.
Requested information:
- Results of Malaria antigen test if performed.
- Include patient's travel history, primary or admitting diagnosis, and/if there is a history of Malaria with the order.

Instructions

Thick Smears, air-dried and unfixed

Directions: Spread fresh EDTA blood in the middle of slide, about the size of a quarter. Should be thick enough to just read newsprint through. Make within one hour of specimen collection to optimize speciation. Speciation may not be possible on slides made more than one hour after collection. Document date and time slides were made on request form.

Thin smears, air-dried and unfixed

Directions: Spread fresh EDTA blood in a typical monolayer peripheral smear. Make within one hour of specimen collection to optimize speciation. Speciation may not be possible on slides made more than one hour after collection. Document date and time slides were made on request form.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
EDTA Whole Blood Ambient 7 days

For optimum blood parasite detection and speciation, slides must be made from EDTA blood within one hour of collection.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Repeat specimens collected less than 8 hours after initial sample
Sample not properly identified
Insufficient sample volume
Incorrect container.

Methodology
Slide review; Immuno-chromic antigen detection for malaria if not done by the client

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Reported Same Day
STAT within 4 hours

Performing Laboratory
UCH Clinical Laboratory – Microbiology
UCHealth at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13001 E 17th Pl,
Aurora, CO 80045
(720) 848-0000

Additional Information
Blood Parasites - UCH

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.