Malarial Parasites (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Haematology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

AAAA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0000

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

Blood films should be made within 6 hours of collection to preserve parasite morphology.

Synonyms

Malaria

Turnaround Time

2 hours

Specimen Type

• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Pre-testing Requirements

Please give full clinical particulars and list countries visited outside NZ. If the patient has travelled to the Pacific island except Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu or the Solomon Islands, they are not at risk of malaria and malaria testing will not be performed. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact one of the Clinical Microbiologist or after-hours the on call ID/Micro SMO.

Uncertainty of Measurement

UOM will vary with parasite density and microscopist skill. Thin film counts using the Miller ocular can have CVs from 10-30%

Additional Costing Information

For pricing inquiries, please contact us at +64 9276 0167

A malarial screen consists of microscopic blood film examination and the ICT test for malarial antigens.

It is crucial to suspect malaria in any febrile patient who has been to an endemic area. It is also essential to distinguish P.falciparum from other species since P. falciparum can cause life threatening infection, such as cerebral malaria and black water fever. This organism can also cause severe pulmonary and renal failure.

P. falciparum is resistant to many commonly used antimalarial agents.

The relapsing form of malaria is caused by P. vivax or P. ovale

Contact Information