Plasmodium Species
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Plasmodium species
Malaria
Detection, identification and speciation of blood parasites through microscopic examination of thin blood smears stained with Wright/Giemsa stain.
Submit thin blood smears stained with Wright/Giemsa stain. Stained thick smears may be submitted in addition to thin smears, but not instead of thin smears
Smears should be made from EDTA blood tubes ideally within 1 hour of collection for best parasite morphology. Refrigerate blood tube at 2-8°C after preparing slide.
EDTA blood tube should be submitted with stained smears, if available.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Blood Parasite ID/Confirmation
Transport stained smears in cardboard or plastic slide carriers to laboratory as soon as possible.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Blood tube: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Stained thick smears or EDTA blood received without a thin stained blood smear will not be examined
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different of specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Expired/ incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents < 14
- No swab received
- Specimen too old
No blood parasites observed
Providers must report patient information on Malaria within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
2 business days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Send-out Departments.