Smear for MP (Malarial Parasite)

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 4Hrs

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No Fasting Required

Details

Detects Plasmodium parasites in blood; used to confirm malaria diagnosis.

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Smear for MP (Malarial Parasite) - Comprehensive Medical Test Guide

Why is it done?
- Test measures the presence of malarial parasites (Plasmodium species) in the blood by examining stained blood smears under a microscope
- Primary indications: Suspected malaria infection in patients with fever, chills, and sweating
- Diagnostic evaluation: To confirm or rule out malaria diagnosis in symptomatic patients
- Parasite identification: To identify specific Plasmodium species and determine parasitemia levels
- Screening purposes: Screening of blood donors and travelers from endemic regions
- Timing: Usually performed urgently when malaria is clinically suspected; multiple smears (thick and thin) may be done over several days
- Monitoring: During treatment to assess response to antimalarial therapy
Normal Range
- Normal result: Negative (No malarial parasites detected)
- Unit of measurement: Number of parasites per microliter (µL) of blood or percentage of red blood cells infected
- Negative result interpretation: Absence of malarial parasites in the blood smear; indicates no active malaria infection at the time of testing
- Positive result interpretation: Presence of malarial parasites confirms malaria infection; results may show parasite species and parasitemia level
- Parasitemia levels: Expressed as percentage of infected RBCs or parasite count per µL (low: <100/µL, moderate: 100-1000/µL, high: >1000/µL)
- Borderline/Inconclusive: May require repeat testing as parasitemia levels can fluctuate in malaria; negative smear does not exclude infection
Interpretation
- Negative result: No parasites observed in thick or thin smear; indicates absence of blood-stage malaria parasites at time of collection
- Positive result with species identification: Presence of Plasmodium falciparum (cerebral malaria risk, severe), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, or P. knowlesi (each with different clinical presentations)
- High parasitemia (>5%): Indicates severe malaria; risk of complications including cerebral malaria, acute kidney injury, severe anemia, and pulmonary edema
- Moderate parasitemia (1-5%): Uncomplicated to moderate malaria; typically responds to standard antimalarial therapy
- Low parasitemia (<1%): Early or partially treated infection; may be difficult to detect; repeat testing recommended
- Mixed infection: Presence of multiple Plasmodium species in same patient; has implications for treatment selection
- Gametocytes present: Indicates chronicity of infection and transmission risk; patient is infectious to mosquitoes
- Factors affecting interpretation: Time of day (parasitemia varies cyclically), timing relative to fever spikes, prior treatment, and quality of microscopic examination
- Clinical correlation: Results must be interpreted with clinical symptoms (fever, rigors, sweating), patient history (travel, exposure), and other laboratory findings
Associated Organs
- Primary organ systems: Hematologic (red blood cells affected), hepatic (liver involvement common), and renal systems
- Cerebral malaria: Severe manifestation affecting central nervous system; associated with high parasitemia of P. falciparum
- Hepatic dysfunction: Malaria parasites damage liver cells; can lead to jaundice, hepatomegaly, and acute liver failure
- Renal involvement: Acute kidney injury from hemolysis, myoglobinuria, and direct parasitic damage; can result in acute renal failure
- Pulmonary complications: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe pulmonary edema with P. falciparum
- Cardiovascular effects: Shock, hypotension, and metabolic acidosis from cytokine release and tissue hypoxia
- Hematologic complications: Severe anemia from hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Associated conditions: Hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, splenic rupture, and severe malaria (SM) with organ dysfunction
- Potential complications if untreated: Death, permanent neurological damage, organ failure, and chronic sequelae in survivors
Follow-up Tests
- Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT): Quick confirmation test for malarial antigens; useful as initial screening in resource-limited settings
- Repeat blood smears: Recommended at 12-24 hour intervals if initial smear negative but clinical suspicion remains high
- Complete blood count (CBC): Evaluates for anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocyte abnormalities associated with malaria
- Liver function tests: Assess for hepatocellular injury (elevated transaminases, bilirubin) common in malaria
- Renal function tests: Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen to assess for acute kidney injury
- Blood glucose level: Monitor for hypoglycemia, common complication of severe malaria
- Coagulation studies (PT/INR, aPTT): Assess for DIC and bleeding tendency in severe malaria
- Arterial blood gas: Evaluate for metabolic acidosis and respiratory status
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Sensitive molecular test for species identification and parasitemia quantification when microscopy inconclusive
- Post-treatment smears: Performed at day 7 and day 28 to confirm parasitological cure and assess treatment efficacy
- Imaging studies: CT head or MRI for cerebral malaria; chest X-ray for pulmonary complications
- Monitoring frequency: Daily smears during acute illness; weekly during recovery; frequency based on parasitemia levels and treatment response
Fasting Required?
- Fasting: No - fasting is NOT required for malarial parasite smear
- Sample collection: Can be performed at any time without dietary restrictions
- Timing consideration: Blood collection preferably during or shortly after fever spike, when parasitemia is highest and detection more likely
- Medications: No specific medications need to be held prior to test; continue all routine medications
- Patient preparation: None special required; patient can eat and drink normally before blood collection
- Sample requirement: Capillary blood (finger prick) or venous blood collected in EDTA tube (anticoagulated); minimal volume needed
- Sample handling: Slides prepared immediately; must not be delayed as parasite motility decreases over time
- Additional instructions: Inform healthcare provider if patient is on antimalarial therapy to avoid false negatives

How our test process works!