How many days after should a tick be sent for analysis? - briefly
Ticks should be dispatched for laboratory examination within 48 hours of removal, with a maximum acceptable delay of 72 hours to preserve specimen integrity. Delays beyond this window increase the risk of degradation and may compromise diagnostic results.
How many days after should a tick be sent for analysis? - in detail
The optimal interval between removal of a tick and its dispatch for laboratory examination is as short as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Extending the delay beyond two days increases the risk of DNA degradation, loss of pathogen viability, and morphological changes that may compromise identification.
Key considerations for timely submission:
- Preserve the specimen in a sealed container with a moist substrate (e.g., damp paper towel) to prevent desiccation.
- Maintain a temperature between 4 °C and 20 °C; refrigeration is acceptable, but freezing should be avoided unless the protocol explicitly requires it.
- Use a reliable courier service that guarantees next‑day delivery; include a cold pack if ambient temperatures exceed 20 °C.
- Attach a detailed label containing collection date, host species, and geographic location; this information is critical for epidemiological interpretation.
- Notify the receiving laboratory of the expected arrival date to ensure prompt processing upon receipt.
If immediate dispatch is impossible, store the tick at 4 °C and arrange shipment within 48 hours. Delays exceeding 72 hours should be considered unacceptable for most pathogen detection assays, as they markedly reduce sensitivity.