How can a tick be sent to a laboratory? - briefly
Place the arthropod in a sealed, ventilated container with moist cotton, label with collection details, and ship it in a refrigerated package complying with biosafety transport regulations. Use an authorized courier for biological specimens and affix a biohazard label.
How can a tick be sent to a laboratory? - in detail
Transporting a tick specimen to a diagnostic laboratory requires a systematic approach to preserve integrity, ensure safety, and comply with regulatory standards.
The specimen should be removed with fine‑point tweezers, avoiding compression of the body. Immediately after removal, place the tick in a small, sterile container. Two preservation options are common: (1) keep the arthropod alive in a humid environment at 4 °C, or (2) immerse it in 70 % ethanol. Live storage is preferred for pathogen isolation; ethanol is suitable for molecular assays but may inactivate certain viruses.
Packaging follows the triple‑container system mandated for biological substances. The primary container (the sealed tube with the tick) is placed inside a secondary, leak‑proof container with absorbent material. Both are then enclosed in a rigid outer packaging that meets IATA requirements for Category B specimens. The outer package must bear the label «Biological Substance, Category B» and display the appropriate handling symbols.
Accurate labeling is essential. Each specimen receives a unique identifier, collection date, geographic coordinates, host species, and collector’s name. A completed submission form accompanies the package, detailing the requested analyses and providing a chain‑of‑custody record. When the collection location falls under national wildlife regulations, the necessary permits must be attached.
Shipping logistics should employ a courier experienced in medical or biological transport. The shipment must be dispatched within 24 hours of collection to maintain viability. Temperature control devices (cold packs or insulated containers) are required for live specimens; ethanol‑preserved samples remain stable at ambient temperature. Tracking numbers enable real‑time monitoring, and insurance covers potential loss.
Upon receipt, the laboratory verifies the integrity of the packaging, cross‑checks the label against the accompanying documentation, and records the arrival time. Specimens are then transferred to designated biosafety cabinets for identification, pathogen detection, or further research.