How should you store a tick before laboratory analysis? - briefly
Place the tick in a sterile, airtight tube or vial, keep it refrigerated at approximately 4 °C, and avoid freezing; for molecular analysis, submerge it in 70–95 % ethanol after proper labeling. If immediate processing is not feasible, maintain the cold chain and clearly mark the container with collection details.
How should you store a tick before laboratory analysis? - in detail
Proper preservation of a tick prior to laboratory examination requires rapid cooling, moisture control, and secure containment. Immediately after removal, place the specimen in a sterile, airtight container such as a screw‑cap tube or a sealed plastic vial. Add a small volume of 70 % ethanol if DNA analysis is planned; for pathogen culture, keep the tick moist with a sterile cotton ball soaked in phosphate‑buffered saline and avoid alcohol. Label the container with collection date, location, host species, and collector’s name.
Maintain the sample at a temperature of 4 °C (refrigerator) if processing will occur within 24–48 hours. For longer storage, transfer to a -20 °C freezer for ethanol‑preserved ticks or -80 °C for specimens intended for RNA extraction. Avoid repeated freeze‑thaw cycles, which can degrade nucleic acids and compromise pathogen viability.
When shipping to a reference laboratory, use insulated packaging with ice packs or dry ice, depending on the preservation method. Ensure that the outer container complies with biosafety regulations and that the package is clearly marked as containing biological material. Include a copy of the label information on the exterior for quick reference.
Key steps summarized:
- Place tick in sterile, sealed container.
- Choose preservative based on intended analysis (ethanol for DNA, saline for culture).
- Label comprehensively.
- Refrigerate at 4 °C for short‑term, freeze at -20 °C or -80 °C for long‑term.
- Prevent freeze‑thaw cycles.
- Use appropriate insulated shipping materials and comply with biosafety labeling.
Following these procedures maximizes the integrity of the specimen and the reliability of downstream diagnostic results.