Normal Reference Ranges
Adult
Negative for parasites Qualitative / Parasitemia %
Pediatric
Negative for parasites Qualitative / Parasitemia %
Clinical Significance
Thick smear detects presence; thin smear identifies the species and parasitemia percentage. Crucial for guiding antimalarial therapy.
Causes of High
- Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum, vivax, ovale, malariae, knowlesi)
- Babesiosis (can look similar on smear)
Causes of Low
- Normal finding