How long can a tick be stored for analysis? - briefly
Ticks remain viable for molecular or morphological examination when frozen at –20 °C for up to 12 months, or preserved in 70 % ethanol at 4 °C for several weeks. For optimal DNA integrity, immediate freezing is preferred.
How long can a tick be stored for analysis? - in detail
Ticks intended for laboratory examination may be preserved for varying periods depending on the preservation method, target analysis, and temperature conditions.
Alcohol fixation (70 % ethanol) maintains morphological integrity for up to six months at ambient temperature; for molecular assays, DNA quality remains acceptable for three to four months, after which degradation accelerates.
Freezing at –20 °C extends usable storage to twelve months for most nucleic‑acid extractions, while –80 °C can preserve DNA and RNA for several years with minimal loss of integrity.
Formalin fixation provides long‑term histological preservation; however, nucleic‑acid recovery is compromised, limiting molecular work to specimens stored no longer than six weeks.
Key considerations for optimal preservation:
- Choose preservation medium aligned with intended downstream tests.
- Maintain consistent temperature; avoid repeated freeze‑thaw cycles.
- Record collection date and storage conditions to assess sample viability.
When storage exceeds recommended intervals, re‑evaluation of sample quality through pilot extractions or microscopic inspection is advisable before committing to extensive analyses.