Malaria/Babesia/Other Blood Parasites
Test code
CPT code(s)*
Clinical significance
Test resources
Details
Methodology
Microscopic Examination of stained slides with Giemsa stain
Alternative name(s)
Trypanosoma sp.,Blood Parasites,Leishmania sp.,Plasmodium sp.,Babesia sp.
Specimen requirements | |
|---|---|
| Patient preparation | None Specified |
| Preferred specimen(s) | At least 2 thick and 2 thin smears prepared from capillary source (finger) and 1 whole blood EDTA (lavender-top) tube |
| Minimum volume | One thick and one thin smear and 1 whole blood EDTA (lavender-top) tube |
| Collection 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. |
| Transport container | Slides in slide holders and an EDTA (lavender-top) tube |
| Transport temperature | Room temperature |
| Specimen stability | Slides Room temperature: 30 days Refrigerated: Unacceptable Frozen: Unacceptable Whole blood Room temperature: 24 hours Refrigerated: Unacceptable Frozen: Unacceptable |
| Reject criteria | Hemolysis • Clotted specimens • Specimens out of stability |
Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.
*The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.
This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.
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