Plasmodium malariae malaria Overview

The diagnoses in this group represent infection with the protozoan parasite Plasmodium malariae causing malaria, primarily affecting the blood and hematologic systems. These codes capture clinical presentations related to parasitic fever, hemolysis, and associated systemic manifestations. Accurate coding is important because it ensures correct classification of the infectious etiology and clinical severity, which affects claims processing and payment determinations.

• An adult patient presents to the emergency department with acute onset high fevers, chills, severe headache, myalgias, and dark urine after returning from travel to a malaria-endemic region; thick and thin blood smears confirm Plasmodium malariae parasitemia and the patient is hemodynamically stable without evidence of severe malaria. A diagnosis from this group is assigned for the confirmed uncomplicated P. malariae infection to guide antimalarial treatment and public health reporting. Typical codes: B520
• An outpatient infectious disease follow-up visit for a patient with persistent low-grade fevers, intermittent malaise, and documented low-level Plasmodium malariae parasitemia several weeks after initial therapy; the clinician documents ongoing parasitological presence without signs of severe systemic illness. A code from this group is used to indicate ongoing or relapsing P. malariae infection being monitored in the ambulatory setting. Typical codes: B529
• A hospitalized patient with chronic renal insufficiency develops acute worsening of kidney function and hemoglobinuria while found to have Plasmodium malariae infection; the treating team documents P. malariae malaria with complications contributing to acute kidney injury requiring inpatient management. A complicated P. malariae diagnosis code from this group is assigned to capture the malaria infection in the setting of organ system involvement. Typical codes: B528