How should a tick be submitted to a laboratory? - briefly
The specimen should be placed in a sterile, breathable vial with a damp cotton wick, sealed securely, and labeled with collection date, geographic coordinates, and host information. Ship the sealed container in an insulated package with frozen gel packs via overnight courier, following the receiving laboratory’s shipping guidelines.
How should a tick be submitted to a laboratory? - in detail
The submission of a tick specimen for laboratory analysis requires strict adherence to collection, preservation, labeling, and transport protocols to ensure accurate identification and pathogen detection.
Specimen removal and initial handling
- Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick close to the mouthparts, avoiding compression of the abdomen.
- Place the intact organism into a sterile, sealable tube or vial.
- Add a small volume of 70 % ethanol if the target analysis includes morphological identification; use a dry, sterile container for molecular assays to prevent nucleic‑acid degradation.
- Record the date and time of removal, the exact anatomical site of attachment, and the host’s species.
Packaging and preservation
- Seal the container securely to prevent leakage.
- Place the sealed container inside a secondary, leak‑proof bag.
- Include a cold pack for specimens requiring refrigeration (4–8 °C) and a temperature indicator to confirm conditions during transit.
- Avoid freezing unless specifically requested for particular molecular tests.
Documentation and accompanying forms
- Complete the laboratory request form, providing patient identifier, clinical symptoms, and travel history if relevant.
- Attach a data sheet with collection details: geographic location (latitude/longitude or nearest landmark), habitat description, and collector’s name.
- Ensure all paperwork is legible and matches the specimen label.
Shipping considerations
- Choose a courier service authorized to transport biological samples.
- Verify compliance with local, national, and international regulations for arthropod shipment.
- Dispatch the package within 24 hours of collection; for dry specimens, shipment within 48 hours is acceptable.
- Retain the tracking number and confirm receipt by the receiving laboratory.
Laboratory receipt expectations
- The receiving facility will inspect the container for integrity, verify temperature log entries, and cross‑check the accompanying documentation.
- Upon acceptance, the laboratory will proceed with morphological identification, polymerase‑chain‑reaction assays, or other diagnostic methods as requested.
Following these procedures minimizes degradation, preserves nucleic material, and facilitates reliable laboratory results.