MALARIA, SMEAR

Message

Submit the following: 8 stained slides (4 thick and 4 thin smears) from EDTA whole blood (lavender tube) along with the lavender tube.

Test Code

MALAR

CPT Codes
87207

Preferred Specimen

1 Lavender tube and 4 thick smears and 4 thin smears

Minimum Volume

2mL EDTA whole blood

Instructions

Prepare smears within 1 hour of collection. Air dry slides. Once slides are dry, stain and place in a slide holder.

Transport Temperature

Slides store at room temperature
EDTA whole blood store refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Slides submit at room temperature
EDTA whole blood submit refrigerated. If sample 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

Methodology
Microscopic identification

If positive:

Sample will reflex to Malarial Detection and Speciation by PCR except for Illinois patients which will be submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health for Malarial PCR testing.

Setup Schedule

M, T, W, Th, F, Sa, Sun

Report Available

Within 8 hours of receipt at the performing laboratory if slides are received stained.

Reference Range

Negative for malaria parasites

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.