1. A method of detecting a parasite infection using a blood sample comprising the steps of: (a) mixing said blood sample with a lytic reagent system to lyse red blood cells, and to form a sample mixture; (b) performing a differential analysis of white blood cells of said sample mixture on a blood analyzer, and obtaining a cell volume distribution of a white blood cell subpopulation from a cell volume measurement used in said differential analysis; (c) obtaining a cell volume parameter from said cell volume distribution of said white blood cell subpopulation; (d) evaluating said cell volume parameter against a predetermined criterion, and reporting an indication of said parasite infection if said cell volume parameter meets said predetermined criterion.