Malarial Parasite Test

One of the oldest recorded diseases globally, the malarial parasites induce signs of discomfort, thereby known as malaria. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits it. There are four types of malarial parasites, namely:

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium malaria
• Plasmodium ovale
• Plasmodium vivax

Among these, P. falciparum is the deadliest parasite and malarial parasites as a whole kill nearly 1 million people globally. Diagnostic measures are essential to identify the disease, notify the authorities, and control it before it becomes an epidemic.

The malarial parasite test is the most accurate and commonly performed test used for the diagnosis of malaria. It uses thick and thin blood smears from the patient's samples and yields results within 2-4 hours.

A detailed microscopic examination can help a pathologist identify the malarial parasite causing the infection. The malarial parasite reports then assist the physician in initiating the treatment process efficiently.

Malaria is an infectious disease but not like cold or flu. It is still advised to keep the patient isolated or in protective clothing as the disease can be transmitted by biting an infected mosquito (here, female Anopheles).

The only mode of transmission is via mosquito and person-to-person. Rarely, malaria can also spread due to blood transfusion, placenta to the foetus, and transplant procedures. Malarial parasite tests and other diagnostic measures ensure that these transmissions are prevented from happening.

To the World Malaria Report 2019, India remains the main malaria contributor in the Southeast Asia Region. Nevertheless, our country has shown a marked reduction based on its history of malaria outbreaks.

Malaria affects all ages and sexes and is more prevalent in Africa (tropical and subtropical regions). Anopheles is a mosquito of low socioeconomic and unhygienic conditions. This is the reason behind the disappearance of malaria from most developed countries.

Other names for Malarial Parasite Test

• Malaria blood smear Test
• Thin and thick blood smear for Malarial parasite
• Peripheral Smear for Malarial Parasite
• MP Test
• Malarial Parasite Test

What does the Malarial Parasite Test detect/measure, and who is this prescribed for?

The malarial parasite test detects the presence and identification of malarial parasites, P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, or P. vivax in the bloodstream. The test can detect:

• Presence or absence of malarial parasites in the blood
• Identification of malarial parasites among the four
• Parasite load(parasite Index)
• Severity of infection

A malarial parasite test is prescribed to those experiencing symptoms of malaria. The clinical features are distributed under three stages:

What tests are done for malaria?

Multiple forms of tests and strategies are adopted to diagnose malaria. They are:

1. Clinical diagnosis: It is the traditional method to analyse the signs and symptoms of the patient along with some physical examination.
2. Microscopic diagnosis: The malarial parasite test or MP test is a form of microscopic examination to simply tell the presence/absence and type of malarial parasite causing malaria. It is one of the golden tests for malarial parasite identification.
3. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs): These kits are new, prompt, accurate, and practical to know the presence or absence of malaria. These are adopted in low socioeconomic areas where there are no microscopy facilities.
4. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): It is a molecular-level test with advanced laboratory requirements and is one of the most specific and sensitive diagnostic tests for malaria.
5. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): This serological test helps to know about past exposure, not current.
6. G6PD test: This test is done to rule out the status of the G6PD(glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) enzyme. If deficiency causes life-threatening (hemolysis) events with few antimalarial agents like Primaquine, chloroquine etc.

What is an MP test?

An MP test stands for a malarial parasite test. It is a microscopy-based laboratory test that can diagnose malaria. The blood collected from the patient is used to make thin and thick blood smears.

• Thick blood smears measure the parasite concentration or its presence/absence.
• Thin blood smears help morphologically identify the plasmodium (malarial) parasite.

A haematology report depicting peripheral blood smear for malarial parasites is a positive-negative MP report. The malarial parasite report might state “Detected/Not Detected” or “Positive/Negative.” Along with it, the name of the identified malarial parasite will also be present.

For example:

1. Parasites: DETECTED. (Schizont of P. Vivax.)
2. Parasites: NOT DETECTED.

There are two possible interpretations of the malarial parasite test. They are:

The malarial parasite test results are based on microscopically studying the blood collected from the arm's vein.

Test Preparation

1. Before the test

No specific preparations are needed before the malarial parasite procedure. No fasting is required. You may inform the doctor about current medications or any herbal supplements. Although, they are highly unlikely to interfere with the results.

2. During the test

A nurse or phlebotomist will use your arm's vein to collect the blood sample. You might feel a slight needle-prick. The nurse will then clean the area with an alcohol wipe to prevent any infection.

3. After the test

When done hygienically and according to protocol, the MP test procedure poses no serious risks to an individual.

Test inclusions: What parameters are included?

The malarial parasite test includes the formation of blood films by the sample obtained from the patient's arm. The preparation of two types of blood films remains the gold standard of microscopic diagnosis for malarial parasites:

1. Thick blood film

Thick blood films use several layers of blood and are crucial to detect the presence of malarial parasites in the blood, their relapse, or reappearance. It is a measure to screen the malarial parasite and confirm the presence of malaria in the individual.

2. Thin blood film

Thin blood film uses a single layer of blood and makes it easier to visualise the malarial parasite. The thin film helps the pathologist to morphologically identify the parasite responsible for causing malaria in that individual.

Although a gold standard and the most accurate test.

How frequently should you take this test?

The amount of malarial parasites in an infected individual keeps altering at different times of the day. The malarial parasite reports might come out to be negative despite significant signs and symptoms.

For this reason, your healthcare professional might prescribe an MP test every 12-24 hours intervals over a period of two to three days.

Malaria