Ordering RecommendationRecommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Not a first-line test for malaria screening. Refer to Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood (0049025) or Malaria, Rapid Screen and Giemsa Stain (2001547) for screening and diagnosing acute disease.
MnemonicUnique test identifier.
MALARIAPCR
MethodologyProcess(es) used to perform the test.
Qualitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PerformedDays of the week the test is performed.
Sun-Sat
ReportedExpected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-3 days
New York DOH Approval StatusIndicates test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
Reference IntervalNormal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
Interpretive DataBackground information for test. May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, details of testing, associated diseases, explanation of possible patient results.
This qualitative test is intended only for the speciation of suspected malaria infections. It is not intended to monitor treatment or to be used on repeat specimens for evaluation of parasitic clearance. A positive result may still be obtained in the absence of visible parasites.
Detection of asymptomatic parasitemia in individuals from malaria-endemic areas is possible. Therefore, this test should only be used in conjunction with patient travel history and symptoms consistent with malaria. Only circulating parasites within the blood will be detected in this assay. Latent phase hypnozoites of Plasmodiumovale and Plasmodium vivax may not be detected.
Mixed infections (eg, multiple Plasmodium spp. present) may not be accurately identified if parasitemia is significantly higher for one of the Plasmodium spp.
This test will not detect other blood-borne parasites such as Babesia spp. and Trypanosomes, which may have similar clinical presentation. A negative result on this assay does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or assay-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection by the assay.
Compliance Category
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
NoteAdditional information related to the test.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT CodesThe American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
AliasesOther names that describe the test. Synonyms.
Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium knowlesi
Plasmodium malariae
Plasmodium ovale
Plasmodium vivax
Malaria Detection and Speciation, Qualitative by Real-Time PCR
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