How should a tick be properly preserved for analysis? - briefly
Place the specimen in a tightly sealed container with 70 % ethanol, keep it refrigerated, and label with collection details; avoid crushing or drying the tick before analysis.
How should a tick be properly preserved for analysis? - in detail
Proper preservation of a tick for laboratory examination requires attention to the intended analysis, immediate handling, and secure storage.
After removal, place the specimen in a clean, labeled container. Record collection date, location, host, and any relevant environmental data. Use a waterproof label that will remain legible after exposure to preservative solutions.
Choose a preservation method based on downstream tests:
- Morphological study – Submerge the tick in 70 % ethanol. Ensure the volume is at least ten times the specimen’s size to prevent dehydration. Replace ethanol after 24 hours if the specimen will be stored for more than a week. Store the container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
- Molecular diagnostics (DNA/RNA) – For DNA, 95–100 % ethanol provides optimal integrity. For RNA, use a nucleic‑acid stabilization solution such as RNAlater or a cold chain (−20 °C to −80 °C) immediately after placement in ethanol. Minimize the time between collection and freezing; aim for less than 2 hours.
- Pathogen culture – Maintain the tick alive in a humid chamber at 4 °C and process within 24 hours. If immediate processing is impossible, store at −80 °C with a cryoprotectant (e.g., 10 % glycerol) to preserve viability.
General handling tips:
- Avoid crushing or puncturing the exoskeleton; handle with fine tweezers.
- Do not use formalin or glutaraldehyde unless a specific histological protocol requires them, as they degrade nucleic acids.
- Seal containers tightly to prevent ethanol evaporation.
- Transport specimens in insulated containers to maintain temperature stability.
When long‑term storage is needed, replace ethanol periodically to prevent dilution by water absorption. For archived material, record the preservation method in a database to ensure reproducibility of future analyses.