Parasite Exam - Malaria Screen

Tube Type

Test ID

LAB883

EPIC Order

Malaria Screen

CPT Code(s)

87899, 87207

Group/Individual Test

Individual

Laboratory

Clinical Microbiology, 984-974-1805

Tube Station

82

Specimen

Routine:

blood/lavender EDTA tube; See Comments

Availability

Routine:

24 hours/7 days

STAT:

N/A

Turnaround Time

See table below

Comments

Test Name	Patient Prerequisites	Test Includes	Turnaround Time
Malaria Screen (LAB883) *Smears only performed on day shift	Appropriate Travel History	BinaxNOW; Malaria Smear	BinaxNOW: 2 hours Malaria Smear: 24 hours for preliminary result (thin smear) and 72 hours for final result (thick smear)
Plasmodium Parasitemia (LAB88303) *Only performed on day shift	Previous positive BinaxNOW Malaria or Malaria Smear	Malaria Smear only	12-24 hours
Blood parasites, Non- malaria (LAB88301) *Only performed on day shift	Appropriate Travel History	Blood Smear to rule out Babesia, Trypanosomes and Microfilaria	12-24 hours

For Outreach/Affiliate locations with extended transport times-
The travel question in the order must be answered with a geographic location of travel (i.e., N/A or "none" are not acceptable). If the ordering provider has not entered appropriate travel history, the affiliate laboratory should contact the provider to obtain travel history and document this in the order prior to sending to McLendon Laboratories.
BOTH BLOOD TUBE AND SLIDES ARE REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION.
Slides: Submit 5 thin blood films
Transport Container: Plastic slide container

1. Prepare thin blood films as follows: Prepare 5 thin smears with a "feathered edge" that is no more than a single cell thick.

2. Allow the film to thoroughly air dry and then fix by briefly immersing in either absolute or 95% methyl alcohol.

3. Allow to air dry after fixation before placing in transport container.

Reviewed by J. Carr on December 08, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514