When can a tick be submitted for analysis? - briefly
A tick can be sent for laboratory examination immediately after collection, provided it is stored in a suitable medium (e.g., a sealed container with a moist substrate) and kept refrigerated. Delaying submission beyond 48 hours may compromise the accuracy of pathogen detection.
When can a tick be submitted for analysis? - in detail
A tick may be sent to a diagnostic laboratory only after it has been removed from the host and preserved according to the guidelines of the receiving facility. The submission is acceptable when the following conditions are met:
- The specimen is placed in a breathable container (e.g., a paper envelope) or in 70 % ethanol if the laboratory requires preservation of DNA.
- The time elapsed between removal and packaging does not exceed 48 hours for live specimens; dead ticks may be stored up to 7 days in ethanol without significant degradation.
- The tick is clearly labeled with collection date, location, host species, and any observed symptoms on the host.
- A requisition form accompanies the sample, specifying the purpose of analysis (e.g., pathogen detection, species identification).
- The specimen is free from excessive contamination, such as large amounts of blood or tissue that could interfere with molecular assays.
Additional considerations include:
- Regulatory compliance – certain jurisdictions require a permit for transporting arthropods; the submitter must verify local regulations before dispatch.
- Temperature control – if the tick is shipped at ambient temperature, the transit time should be short; otherwise, use insulated packaging with cold packs to maintain a stable environment.
- Laboratory capacity – some reference labs accept only ticks that are suspected of carrying specific pathogens; confirming the lab’s acceptance criteria prevents unnecessary rejections.
Meeting these criteria ensures that the tick remains viable for morphological examination and that nucleic acids are preserved for PCR‑based detection, allowing accurate diagnostic outcomes.