| Test Name: |
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Malarial Smear
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| Test Code(s): |
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MAL / GM1085
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| CPT Code(s): |
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87207, 87015
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| Test Description: |
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Test Component: Thin prep smear for review by UWHC Laboratory; thick and thin prep smears for review by Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene.
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| Clinical Significance: |
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To diagnose malaria infections, including speciation.
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| Days Performed: |
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Daily, 24 hours.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Routine: Thin prep review by UWHC Hematology Lab: 1 hour. Thick/thin prep review by the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene: 1 day (available Monday-Friday only).
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Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen: |
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Venipuncture or finger stick
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| Collection Instructions: |
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Preferred collection time is immediately before a fever spike is anticipated. Capillary blood collected into a lavendar- K3EDTA microtainer is preferred, lavendar-K2EDTA is acceptable. Otherwise whole blood in a lavendar K3EDTA tube is preferred, lavendar K2EDTA is acceptable.
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| Collection Container: |
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Preferred: See collection instructions.
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| Collection Volume: |
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Preferred: 1 mL
Pediatrics: 0.25 mL in microtainer
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| Sample Analyzed: |
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Whole Blood
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| Volume Required: |
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Preferred: 1 mL
Pediatrics: 0.25 mL in microtainer
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| Specimen Processing: |
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Slides must be prepared by laboratory within 1 hour of specimen collection. Prepare 5 thin slides (unstained, unfixed) and 2 thick slides (unstained, unfixed). Allow slides to dry completely prior to shipping.
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Transport whole blood specimen to UWHC Core Laboratory (B4/220) immediately. If sending slides, place in protective slide holder(s).
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| Stability: |
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Ambient: Whole blood: 1 hour
Refrigerated: OK
Frozen: Not acceptable
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Interpretation
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Expected Results:
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No blood parasites seen.
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| Critical Calls: |
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View
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| Additional Information: |
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Ordering source will be called if organisms are seen. One set of negative blood smears does not definitively rule out malaria infection. Follow-up samples should be collected for a minimum of three successive days, every six to eight hours.
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