Pattern of WBC size histograms of normal control(A), Plasmodium vivax-positive sample(B), treatment follow-up (C) and NRBC containing samples (D).

Automated hematology analyzers were reported to be able to detect malaria.

We evaluated Coulter blood cell counter for detection of malaria and cross-reactivity with NRBC.

Coulter blood cell counter was useful for identifying malaria but fail to discriminate from NRBC.

The malaria data of hematology analyzers should be interpreted with caution.