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Malaria/Babesia/Other Blood Parasites
Test Code831
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
1 whole blood EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
2 air-dried blood smears (1 thick and 1 thin) and 1 mL whole blood
Other Acceptable Specimens
Whole blood collected in a 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.
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 Temperature
Room temperature (do not refrigerate or freeze the specimens)
Specimen Stability
Slides
Room temperature: 30 days
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Whole blood
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
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 blood • Age-deteriorated blood cells (EDTA blood older than 48 hours)
Methodology
Microscopic Examination with Giemsa stain.
One negative observation cannot rule out blood parasites.
Babesia and other blood parasites are noted and reported.
Setup Schedule
A.M.
Clinical Significance
The identification of malarial parasites and other blood parasites is used to determine treatment and prognosis. Babesia and other blood parasite are noted and reported. Microfilaria can be detected from a giemsa stain. However, this test is not recommended for the detection of microfilaria. One negative observation cannot rule out blood parasites.
