Blood Parasites

Testing site      

Alaska State Public Health Laboratory – Anchorage 

Anchorage Lab Request Form 

Diseases 

• Malaria 
• Babesiosis 
• Trypanosomiasis 

Organisms 

• Plasmodium species 
• Babesia species 
• Trypanosoma species 

Test Method 

Microscopic examination 

Availability

Routine

Specimen type 

• EDTA whole blood sample, minimum 2 mL 
• Both thick and thin smears (2 each), made as soon as possible after EDTA blood collection 

Specimen collection instructions

• Refer to CDC DPDx Website for collection and smear preparation instructions
• Specimens should be collected before treatment is initiated, generally midway between chills. Multiple specimens may be necessary at 6-to-12-hour intervals over 2 to 3 days. 
• Include travel history, if applicable.  
• Other information may be needed to complete the CDC Malaria Case Surveillance Report Form

Storage and transport  

• Store refrigerated.  Ship ambient temperature.   
• Do not freeze.  Samples >7 days old will not be tested. 
• Package, label, and ship as a UN3373 Biological Specimen, Category B  
  • OR  Drop off specimens between 8am-3pm, M-F, excluding state holidays 

Ship to: Anchorage State Public Health Laboratory, ATTN: Clinical Microbiology Unit   

Results  

• No Blood Parasites observed 
• Plasmodium falciparum         
• Plasmodium malariae     
• Plasmodium ovale     
• Plasmodium vivax     
• Babesia species         
• Trypanosoma species 

A normal result is no blood parasites observed. 

Turnaround time  

1-2 days 

Resources