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Test Code Billings Clinic: 9720 Malaria Screen

Important Note

When ordering this test the following must be sent to Billings Clinic:

4 Thick Smear Slides made <1hour after draw

2 Thin Smear Slides made <1hour after draw

1 WB EDTA Tube

For instructions follow the link in the resources section to the left of the page.

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory:  Hematology

Useful For

  • The qualitative detection of Plasmodium antigens circulating in human venous and capillary EDTA whole blood of individuals with signs and symptoms of malarial infection.
  • It is intended to aid in the rapid diagnosis of human malarial infections and to aid in the differential diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infections from other less virulent malarial infections.
  • Thick and thin smears allow for the visualization of circulating parasites.

Methodology

Malaria Rapid Test:  Immunochromatographic assay

Malaria Smear:  Optical

Specimen Requirements

  • Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 5 mL of unprocessed EDTA whole blood refrigerated. 
  • 24 hour refrigerated stability limit.
  • Do not centrifuge.
  • Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly.

  • 4 Thick Smear Slides made <1hour after draw

  • 2 Thin Smear Slides made <1hour after draw

  • Please provide patient's travel history

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87899 - P. falciparum  

87899-59 - P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae           

87207 - Smear, primary source with interpretation; special stain for parasites

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
P. falciparum 76772-3
P. species 70569-9
Malaria Smear, Blood 32700-7

 

Profile/Testing Information

Profile Information:
Malaria Rapid Test
Malaria Smear (quantification)
Reflex Tests:
  • % Plasmodium (if Malaria Smear is positive)
  • Plasmodium Confirmation to State Lab (if Malaria Rapid Test and/or Malaria Smear are positive (additional charge)
  • Specimen will be sent to the CDC for additional confirmation if the test is positive at the State Lab (additional charge)
  

  

Malaria Rapid Test Interpretation and Reflex Testing:

Negative:  

  • A negative test result does not exclude infection with malaria particularly at low levels of parasitemia.
  • Confirmation testing will be performed.

Pos P. falciparum:              

  • Patient is positive for P. falciparum.
  • Confirmation will be performed

Pos NON P. falciparum:    

  • Patient is NOT positive for P.falciparum but is positive for either P. vivax, P. ovale or P. malariae.
  • Speciation and confirmation will be performed.

Pos – MIXED:        

  • Patient is positive for P. falciparum protein antigen and possibly another species of Plasmodium.
  • Speciation and confirmation will be performed

All Malaria Rapid results reflex the new Malaria Smear for quantification.

  • None seen (No Malaria parasites seen)
  • P. falciparum (Patient is positive for P. falciparum. Confirmation will be performed)
  • Malaria Species (Non-falciparum malaria species is present. Speciation and confirmation will be performed by a consulting laboratory.)