Malaria is an infectious disease which is caused by species of the Plasmodium parasite. It is caused by the bite of the infected mosquito (female anopheles). The species which cause infection in humans include Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium falciparum. This test is done to detect the presence of malarial parasite in the blood. Reference: https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/peripheral-smear-for-malaria-2228

1. Peripheral Smear for Malaria

3. What is Malaria?
● Malaria is a mosquito borne disease caused by the bite of an
infected female anopheles mosquito
● Malarial parasite which causes infection in humans include
○ Plasmodium Vivax
○ Plasmodium malariae
○ Plasmodium ovale
○ Plasmodium falciparum

4. What is Peripheral Smear test for Malaria?
● Diagnosis of malaria is based on identification of malarial parasite in
the blood
● Peripheral Smear test is done to detect the presence of malarial
parasite in the blood of a patient
● It is a standard test for diagnosis of malaria

5. How is Peripheral Smear for Malaria done?
● Peripheral smear for malaria is done on a
blood sample collected from the patient
● A drop of blood is then applied and spread
onto a glass slide
● It is then stained with a special stain and
examined under microscope to check the
infected blood cells and the parasite

6. What does Results of Peripheral Smear for
Malaria mean?
● Presence of malarial parasite in
peripheral blood film is diagnostic of
malaria
● Absence of malarial parasite in
peripheral blood film does not always
mean absence of malaria. Repeat testing
may be advised

7. For more details, visit
https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/peripheral-smear-for-malaria-2228