How should a tick be sent for analysis? - briefly
Place the tick in a sealed, breathable vial containing a moist cotton plug, label it with collection date, location, and host information, and ship it overnight with ice packs to maintain cool conditions. Include a brief accompanying note describing the specimen and any relevant clinical details.
How should a tick be sent for analysis? - in detail
Collect the specimen using fine‑point tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the mouthparts as possible to avoid crushing the body. Place the organism in a sterile, breathable container such as a 1.5‑ml microcentrifuge tube or a small paper envelope. If the tick is engorged, add a few drops of 70 % ethanol to preserve morphology; for molecular work, keep the specimen dry or freeze at –20 °C.
Label the container with the following data, each on a separate line:
- Date of collection
- Geographic location (coordinates or nearest landmark)
- Host species (if known)
- Collector’s name and contact information
- Any visible life stage or sex
Seal the container tightly, then place it inside a secondary, leak‑proof bag. Include a biohazard sticker or label if required by the receiving laboratory.
Choose a shipping service that offers temperature‑controlled transport. For ethanol‑preserved ticks, ship at ambient temperature with a cold pack to prevent excessive heat. For frozen specimens, use dry ice and an insulated container, complying with hazardous material regulations.
Attach a brief requisition form that specifies the requested analyses (e.g., morphological identification, PCR for pathogen detection, serology). Ensure the form includes the laboratory’s accession number and any special handling instructions.
Dispatch the package promptly, preferably on the same day of packaging, to minimize degradation. Retain the tracking number and confirm receipt with the receiving facility.