What should be done if a tick does not preserve? - briefly
«If a tick fails to retain its setting, replace the power source and recalibrate the mechanism». «If the issue continues, examine the device for mechanical wear and contact a qualified service provider».
What should be done if a tick does not preserve? - in detail
When a tick specimen is found to be inadequately preserved, immediate corrective measures are essential to maintain its diagnostic value. The following protocol outlines each required step.
- Verify the condition of the specimen. Assess desiccation, mold growth, or contamination that could compromise morphological features.
- Transfer the tick to a suitable preservative. Use 70 % ethanol for most species; for molecular analysis, replace ethanol with 95–100 % ethanol or RNAlater, depending on laboratory guidelines.
- Ensure proper labeling. Include collection date, geographic coordinates, host information, and the reason for re‑preservation. Attach the label securely to the vial to avoid loss during handling.
- Record the corrective action in the collection log. Note the original preservation method, observed defects, and the new preservative used. This documentation supports future data integrity checks.
- Store the vial under appropriate conditions. Maintain ethanol‑filled containers at 4 °C for short‑term storage; for long‑term archiving, keep samples in a dark, temperature‑controlled environment to prevent degradation.
- If molecular work is intended, perform a brief DNA quality check after re‑preservation. Use a standard PCR assay to confirm that nucleic acids remain amplifiable.
Should the specimen be beyond salvage—exhibiting extensive decay or irreversible damage—discard the compromised material following biosafety protocols and document the loss. Initiate a new collection effort, applying the validated preservation procedures from the outset to avoid repeat failures.