Test Detail

Blood Smear for Parasites

Panel Components
Test Description		Contact: Diagnostic Microbiology (319) 335-4256 Test Request Form: Mycobacteriology/Mycology/Parasitology SHL OpenELIS Code: 602
Microscopic examination of blood smear for identification of blood parasites. Travel history required to assist diagnosis. If no travel history outside the US in the past 12 months, please note any states visited outside of Iowa.
Malaria, Babesia, Microfilariae, and Trypanosoma sp.
Performed	Avg. Turnaround Time	Method
Coralville, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F	1 - 3 business days	Biological Stain and Microscopy
Fee	CPT Code(s)
$7.08	87207
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type:	Whole blood (capillary or venous)
Collection Instructions:	Use a Purple Top (EDTA) or Pink Top (K2EDTA) tube to collect specimen. Mix blood specimen thoroughly after collection. Smears must be prepared within 1 hour of collection. Submit 2 thin smears, 2 thick smears, and EDTA tube if available. Preparation of blood smears: Wear gloves and label alcohol cleaned slides with patient's name and date of collection. Mix EDTA well. Prepare two thin smears: Place a small drop of blood near the end of a slide and bring a clean spreader slide, held at a 45° angle, toward the drop of blood on the slide. Wait until the blood spreads along the entire width of the spreader slide. Push the spreader slide forward rapidly and smoothly to create a feathered edge. Prepare two thick smears: Place a small drop of blood in the center of a slide. Using the corner of a clean slide, spread the drop of blood in a circle the size of a dime. Do not make the smear too thick or it will fall off during staining. You should be able to read newsprint through the circle. Wait until slides are completely dry before putting them in slide container for transport.
Temperature and Stability:	Room temperature (35°C). Prepare slides within one hour of collection.
Unacceptable Conditions:	Whole blood in anticoagulants other than EDTA or K2EDTA.
Expected Results:
Identification of parasite, No blood parasites seen.
Shipping:
Place slides in slide transport container. Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Seal the bag and place into the mailer along with a completed Test Request Form. Transport specimen at room temperature. Ship to the Coralville location.
Comments
A single negative smear does not rule out malaria. The CDC recommends obtaining smears every 12-24 hours for 3 consecutive days to rule out malaria.
Alternate Names
Blood parasite, Malarial smear