Malaria Parasites
Test Summary
The identification of malarial parasites and other blood parasites is used to determine treatment and prognosis.
Aliases
- Blood Parasites Thick and Thin Smear
- Thick Smear
- Thick and Thin Smear for Malaria
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
Two thick and two thin films made from finger stick blood.
Minimum Volume
N/A
Instructions
When making slides, the slides must be meticulously clean, and free from dust and grease, or the blood film may be lost during staining. Make 2 thin and 2 thick slides. Label each slide with the date, first and last name of the patient, and time of collection. To prepare thin slides, use a pusher to spread the drop across the slide in a thin film (standard hematology smear). Allow to air dry. For thick films, use the corner of a second slide, stir and spread the drop of blood until it covers an area approximately the size of a dime. While still wet, words on a printed page should be visible through the specimen. Using the same slide, lightly scratch the slide with the drop of blood. (it should make an audible scratching noise) to the wet surface. This will improve adherence of the blood film. If you have questions contact the Microbiology Department
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Slides and EDTA (lavender top) tube should be transported to the lab within one hour.
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
If slide is made
- Room Temperature = 7 days
- Refrigerated = 7 days
- Frozen = unacceptable
Sample in EDTA
- 1 hour at Room Temperature or Refrigerated
- Frozen = Unacceptable.
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Specimen in EDTA may be collected when it is not possible to collect finger stick blood. Thick and Thin smears MUST be made within one hour of sample collection.
Unacceptable Specimens
EDTA that is more than 1 hours old. Frozen specimen
Order Code
MALSMR
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB10216/LAB10216
Includes
N/A
CPT Code
- 87205
Billing Code
- 300705
CPT Statement
Methodology
Microscopic Evaluation
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Physician Attestation of Informed Consent
N/A
Testing Laboratory
CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, LLC
2308 Sandridge Drive
Moraine OH, 45439
2308 Sandridge Drive
Moraine OH, 45439
Department
Microbiology
Reference Range
No Parasites Seen
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Sunday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
Two thick and two thin films made from finger stick blood.
Minimum Volume
N/A
Instructions
When making slides, the slides must be meticulously clean, and free from dust and grease, or the blood film may be lost during staining. Make 2 thin and 2 thick slides. Label each slide with the date, first and last name of the patient, and time of collection. To prepare thin slides, use a pusher to spread the drop across the slide in a thin film (standard hematology smear). Allow to air dry. For thick films, use the corner of a second slide, stir and spread the drop of blood until it covers an area approximately the size of a dime. While still wet, words on a printed page should be visible through the specimen. Using the same slide, lightly scratch the slide with the drop of blood. (it should make an audible scratching noise) to the wet surface. This will improve adherence of the blood film. If you have questions contact the Microbiology Department
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Slides and EDTA (lavender top) tube should be transported to the lab within one hour.
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
If slide is made
- Room Temperature = 7 days
- Refrigerated = 7 days
- Frozen = unacceptable
Sample in EDTA
- 1 hour at Room Temperature or Refrigerated
- Frozen = Unacceptable.
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Specimen in EDTA may be collected when it is not possible to collect finger stick blood. Thick and Thin smears MUST be made within one hour of sample collection.
Unacceptable Specimens
EDTA that is more than 1 hours old. Frozen specimen
Result Information
Methodology
Microscopic Evaluation
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
No Parasites Seen
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Sunday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day