Test ID PARCT Malaria Percent Parasitemia
Useful For
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see LMALP / Malaria PCR with Parasitemia Reflex.
Calculation of percent parasitemia that can be used to predict prognosis and monitor response to treatment for patients with malaria and babesiosis
Method Name
Giemsa Stain
Reporting Name
Malaria Percent ParasitemiaSpecimen Type
VariesOnly orderable as a reflex. For more information see LMALP / Malaria PCR with Parasitemia Reflex.
Slides for LMALP are used for the PARCT.
May be added on to positive LCMAL / Malaria, Molecular Detection, PCR Only by physician request.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see LMALP / Malaria PCT with Parasitemia Reflex
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease infecting approximately 500 million people and causing 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths annually. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, Hispaniola, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. In the United States, individuals at risk include travelers and visitors from endemic areas.
Examination of the thin film allows for calculation of percent parasitemia, which can be used to predict prognosis and monitor response to treatment for patients with malaria and babesiosis. The degree of parasitemia may change rapidly due to natural parasite replication and administration of antimalarial therapies. Therefore, the percent parasitemia should be calculated upon initial diagnosis and then monitored over time with treatment.
Reference Values
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see LMALP / Malaria PCR with Parasitemia Reflex.
A percent parasitemia is provided following a positive result for Malaria PCR with Parasitemia Reflex
Cautions
Since the degree of parasitemia may change rapidly due to natural parasite replication and administration of antimalarial therapies, it is most useful to calculate the percentage of infected cells immediately after the blood is drawn and malaria parasites are detected. A percent parasitemia that is calculated more than 8 hours after the blood is drawn, will not accurately reflect the patient’s current state of parasitemia.
Calculation of the percent parasitemia may not be possible if the malaria parasites are degraded or have altered morphology due to age of the specimen or suboptimal transportation conditions.
In some cases of very low parasite burden, a specimen may be PCR positive for Plasmodium species but no organisms are present on the thin film, and therefore it will not be possible to determine the percentage of infected red blood cells.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Report Available
1 day/Same dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test uses a standard method. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87207