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Guidance

Malaria reference laboratory (MRL): user handbook

Details of MRL laboratory services including malaria diagnosis.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published:
1 March 2013
Last updated:
16 April 2025
Show all updates

  1. Contact details changed and edited parasitaemia criteria.

  2. Added staff member details to Laboratory section.

  3. Updated content which was no longer required.

  4. Updated following sections: 'Location', 'Staff and telephone numbers', 'Sample', 'Specimen collection' and 'Laboratory investigation of malaria'.

  5. Added information on data security and outbreak investigations.

  6. Added latest version of Malaria reference laboratory user handbook.

  7. Updated staff and telephone numbers, investigation of malaria: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and PCR turnaround time.

  8. Replaced user handbook with 2016 edition.

  9. Updated guidance on obtaining malaria prophylaxis advice and on procedure for Hazard Group 4 risk specimens.

  10. First published.

Documents

Malaria reference laboratory: user handbook

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Details

The Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL) provides the following services:

  • malaria diagnosis
  • epidemiological data for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
  • prophylaxis advice for travellers
  • technical advice on methodology and laboratory procedures

These services are offered to:

  • all hospitals
  • UKHSA and NHS laboratories
  • GPs
  • private medical laboratories throughout the UK and abroad

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