ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood : 0049025
[ image for: Time Sensitive]
Time Sensitive
  


Mnemonic: GIEMSA

Methodology: Stain
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: Within 2 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA).

Specimen Preparation: Transport 5 mL whole blood (Min: 1 mL) AND five (5) thin blood smears (unstained, unfixed) AND five (5) thick smears (unstained, unfixed). Thin and thick blood smears should be prepared immediately or within 1 hour after collection. Extended exposure to EDTA anticoagulants can result in altered parasite morphology. Thin smears are made as per routine hematology differentials. Thick smears are made by dropping 10 to 20 µL of blood onto a slide and spreading it into a dime-sized area with a glass, wooden, or plastic applicator.
For instructions on preparation of thick and thin smears, see http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/DiagnosticProcedures.htm. Label and transport slides in slide holders. Specimen must be received within 24 hours of collection.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Room Temperature.

Remarks: Rapid diagnosis of malaria is critical for appropriate patient management. Specimens for Malaria and Babesia are for confirmation only from clients outside of the immediate Salt Lake City, Utah area. Travel history required.

Unacceptable Conditions: Whole blood in anticoagulants other than EDTA or K2EDTA.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Whole blood: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Slides: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval:
Negative
CPT Code(s): 87207 
Cross References: Babesia (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Giemsa Stain for Malaria (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Loa loa Smear (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Malaria Smear (Giemsa Stain) (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Microfilarial Smear (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Plasmodium Smear (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Trypanosome (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Wuchereria Smear (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood), Wucheria bancrofti (Parasites Smear (Giemsa Stain), Blood)