Malaria Babesia 831

Test Code

Alias/See Also

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

Patient Preparation
Blood drawn 1 to 2 hours prior to expected chill will enhance recovery of malarial parasites by the laboratory.

Minimum Volume

Other Acceptable Specimens

Full tube whole blood collected in a lavender-top tube

Instructions

Draw one lavender (EDTA) and send specimen at room temperature.

Transport Container

LAV

Transport Temperature

Specimen Stability

Slides
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 specimens • Specimens out of stability

Methodology
Microscopic Examination of stained slides with Giemsa stain

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 1-2 days

Reference Range

Negative

Clinical Significance

The identification of malarial parasites, Babesia, and other blood parasites is used to determine treatment and prognosis. Calculating percent parasitemia is helpful in monitoring the therapeutic response. Microfilaria can be detected from a Giemsa stain, but this test in not recommended for microfilaria detection. One negative result cannot rule out infection.

Resources:
The CDC Malaria Hotline at 770-488-7788
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DPDx www.cdc.gov/dpdx/index.html

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20153

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.