How to submit blood for tick testing? - briefly
Blood samples are placed in sterile EDTA tubes, labeled with patient ID, accompanied by a completed requisition, packaged with cold packs, and dispatched via overnight courier to an accredited tick‑testing laboratory following CDC shipping protocols.
How to submit blood for tick testing? - in detail
Submitting a blood specimen for tick‑borne pathogen analysis requires strict adherence to collection, preservation, documentation, and shipping protocols.
The collection phase begins with a venipuncture performed by a qualified phlebotomist. Use a serum‑separating tube (SST) or an EDTA tube, depending on the laboratory’s specifications. After drawing the required volume—typically 5 mL for serum or 2 mL for plasma—gently invert the tube 5–8 times to ensure proper anticoagulant mixing. Allow serum tubes to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes, then centrifuge at 1 500 g for 10 minutes. Transfer the supernatant to a sterile, leak‑proof cryovial, label with patient identifier, collection date, and tube type.
Preservation is critical for nucleic acid integrity. Store the aliquoted sample at 4 °C if shipment occurs within 24 hours; otherwise, freeze at –20 °C or lower. Avoid repeated freeze‑thaw cycles; aliquot enough volume for a single test to prevent reprocessing.
Documentation must accompany the specimen. Include a requisition form that lists:
- Patient demographics and clinical history relevant to tick exposure
- Date and time of collection
- Type of tube and anticoagulant used
- Desired testing panel (e.g., Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia)
The form should be signed by the ordering clinician and the collector, and a copy retained for records.
Shipping follows biosafety regulations for Category B infectious substances. Place the sealed cryovial inside a primary container, then a secondary container with absorbent material. Enclose both in an insulated cooler with ice packs to maintain the required temperature range. Use an outer packaging label indicating “Biological Substance, Category B” and include a tracking number. Select an overnight courier service that offers temperature‑controlled delivery and confirm receipt by the receiving laboratory.
Upon arrival, the laboratory will log the specimen, verify integrity, and proceed with molecular assays such as PCR or serology. Prompt communication of results to the ordering physician completes the process.