MALARIA RAPID SCREEN & SMEAR

Message

Submit 8 stained slides (4 thick and 4 thin smears) from EDTA whole blood (lavender tube) along with the lavender tube. Do not centrifuge.

Test Code

MLRSC

CPT Codes
87899; 87207

Includes

Malaria antigen and Malaria smear

Preferred Specimen

1 Lavender tube (EDTA) and 4 Thick Smears and 4 Thin Smears

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

None

Instructions

Make 4 thick smears and 4 thin smears within 1 hour of collection.
Air dry slides. Once dry, stain and place in a slide holder to store at room temperature.
Refrigerate EDTA tube.
Send both the EDTA tube and slides.

Transport Temperature

Store slides at room temperatue
Store EDTA tube refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Slides: 15-30°C up to 7 days
Whole Blood: 2-8°C up to 3 days

If EDTA whole blood is left at room temperature for more than 1 hour, the parasite morphology can change and make definitive identification more difficult.

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

Clotted samples will be rejected.

Methodology
Antigen by EIA and smear by microscopy

Setup Schedule

M, T, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun

Report Available

Within 8 hours of receipt at the performing laboratory if slides are received stained. Results that are discrepant between the malaria antigen screen and microscopy will be sent out for malarial detection and speciation by PCR. Allow extra time for send out testing.

Reference Range

Malaria Antigen: Negative
Malaria Smear: Negative

Clinical Significance

Generally requested for patients with travel history through endemic areas. Travel history is useful if available.

Performed By
Alverno Laboratories

Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab
NMIC (Microbiology)

Last Updated: March 8, 2024

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.