Malaria Rapid Antigen Test

Test Code

MTQ

Preferred Specimen

5 mL EDTA Whole Blood (Lavneder Top)

Patient Preparation
Normal venipunture

Minimum Volume

1.0 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

None

Instructions

Collect venous blood by standard venipuncture into EDTA tube (lavender)

Transport Container

Lavender top tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Test should be performed as soon as possible after collection.
3 days refrigerated at 2-30 degrees C (must be at room temp for testing).

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

Any specimen other that EDTA whole blood

Methodology
Qualitative rapid antigen detection, immunochromatographic membrane assay that uses monoclonal antibodies to detect Plasmodium falciparum and pan-malarial antigen (an antigen shared by plasmodium species causing human malaria).

FDA Status
FDA Approved

Setup Schedule

Stat

Report Available

24 hours

Limitations

A negative test does not exclude infection with malaria, particularly at low levels of parasitemia. Therefore the results obtained by the test, should be used in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings to make an accurate diagnosis.As is often done in serial microscopy testing, another sample can be collected and retested.

The BinaxNow Malaria Test detects antigen from both viable and non-viable malaria organisms, incuding gametocytes and sequestered P. falciparum parasites.Test performance depends on antigen load and may not correlate with microscopy performed on the same specimen.

Reference Range

Negative

Clinical Significance

Malaria is a serious parasitic disease and is a major health problem in much of the tropics and subtropics. The rate of positive results found in malaria testing is dependent on many factors including the method of specimen collection, the test method used, geographic location, and the disease prevalence in specific localities. P. falciparum infection is considered to be the most serious and is often fatal, while infections with the other species such as P. vivax are typically less fatal.

Performing Laboratory
Fort Washington Medical Center, Germantown Emergency Center, Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center.

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.