Malaria smear - Giemsa stain - Borrelia smear - Filaria smear
This order can be used for looking for Malaria, Borrelia (Relapsing Fever), Filaria, and other blood parasites such as Trypanosomes and Babesia.
Specimen Collection Requirements
Whole Blood, one 5.0 mL lavender (EDTA) top tube
Make 5 thin and 5 thick smears (unstained and unfixed) immediately after drawing blood. Thick smears are made by dropping 10.0-20.0 µL of blood onto a slide and spreading it into a dime sized area with a wooden or plastic applicator. Send smears and blood tube to the lab.
Blood and smears (in slide holders) at 20-25°C
Must be received within 24 hours of collection. This is a time sensitive specimen.
Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Testing Information
Samaritan Health Services Laboratories
Reference Values
Positive blood parasite smears are considered a critical value.
Last Updated:
Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:28 AM