How to store a removed tick? - briefly
Preserve a detached tick by placing it in a sterile, airtight vial containing 70 % ethanol (or a sealed tube with a moist cotton ball) and labeling it with the collection date and location.
How to store a removed tick? - in detail
When a tick is detached from a host, the primary goal is to keep the specimen intact for laboratory analysis. The first action after removal is to place the tick in a sterile container without handling the body parts. Rinse gently with sterile saline or distilled water only if the specimen is visibly contaminated; avoid vigorous agitation that could damage internal tissues.
Suitable preservation media
- 70 % ethanol: maintains morphology and DNA integrity for several months; ensure the container is tightly sealed.
- Freezing at –20 °C to –80 °C: preserves nucleic acids for molecular testing; use a cryovial with minimal air space.
- Dry storage on paper: acceptable for short‑term holding (up to a week) before transfer to a laboratory; keep the specimen in a sealed envelope with a desiccant packet.
- Specialized tick‑preservation solutions (e.g., RNAlater): ideal for RNA‑based assays; follow manufacturer’s recommended concentration.
Labeling and documentation
Record the date of removal, geographic location, host species, and method of collection on the container or accompanying data sheet. Use waterproof ink or pre‑printed labels to prevent smearing. Assign a unique identifier to each specimen to avoid confusion during downstream testing.
Transport considerations
If the specimen must be mailed, select a packaging system that complies with biological specimen regulations. Place the sealed container in a secondary leak‑proof bag, surround it with absorbent material, and include a cold pack if the chosen medium requires temperature control. Ship the package promptly, preferably within 48 hours, to reduce degradation risk.
Following these procedures ensures that the removed tick remains viable for accurate pathogen detection and species identification.