What is a tick checked for? - briefly
A tick is inspected for disease‑causing agents such as «Borrelia burgdorferi», «Anaplasma», and other pathogens. The examination also determines the tick’s engorgement level to assess transmission risk.
What is a tick checked for? - in detail
When a tick is removed from a host, the examination focuses on several critical factors to assess health risks and determine appropriate follow‑up actions.
The primary elements inspected include:
- Species identification: Determines typical pathogen associations and geographic distribution.
- Developmental stage: Larva, nymph, or adult stages influence the likelihood of pathogen transmission.
- Engorgement level: Quantifies blood intake; higher engorgement correlates with increased transmission probability.
- Attachment duration: Estimated from engorgement and feeding signs; longer attachment raises infection risk.
- Presence of pathogens: Laboratory testing (PCR, ELISA, or microscopy) detects bacteria, viruses, or protozoa such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., and tick‑borne encephalitis virus.
- Physical condition of the tick: Damage or decomposition may affect diagnostic reliability.
Additional considerations involve the host’s health status, recent travel history, and exposure to endemic areas. These data guide clinical decisions, including prophylactic antibiotic administration, serological monitoring, and patient counseling on symptom vigilance.