Where are ticks submitted for analysis? - briefly
Ticks are forwarded to specialized public‑health or veterinary diagnostic laboratories, often through state or regional vector‑surveillance programs, for identification and pathogen testing. These facilities perform standardized analyses and report results to the submitting health agencies.
Where are ticks submitted for analysis? - in detail
Ticks collected from the field are typically sent to specialized laboratories that perform species identification and pathogen testing. The primary destinations include:
- State or provincial public health laboratories, which operate under the authority of health departments and follow standardized protocols for disease surveillance.
- Federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which maintain reference facilities for advanced molecular diagnostics and maintain national data repositories.
- University or research institution laboratories that specialize in entomology, vector biology, or epidemiology, often providing detailed taxonomic work and experimental analyses.
- Certified private diagnostic laboratories that offer commercial testing services for clinicians, pest‑control companies, and wildlife agencies.
The submission workflow generally follows these steps:
- Collection and preservation – Ticks are removed using fine forceps, placed in a labeled vial with 70 % ethanol or frozen at –20 °C, and accompanied by metadata (date, location, host, collector).
- Documentation – A submission form records species‑level hypotheses, suspected pathogens, and any treatment history. Electronic databases may be used to ensure traceability.
- Packaging and shipping – Specimens are sealed in leak‑proof containers, accompanied by a cold‑pack if required, and dispatched via courier or postal service following bio‑hazard regulations.
- Receipt and accession – Receiving laboratories assign accession numbers, verify the integrity of the specimens, and log the accompanying data into their information systems.
- Analysis – Methods employed include morphological keys, DNA barcoding, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panels for bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, and next‑generation sequencing for comprehensive pathogen profiling.
- Reporting – Results are compiled into a formal report, detailing species confirmation, pathogen presence, and any recommendations for public‑health action. Copies are sent to the submitting entity and, where applicable, to regional surveillance networks.
Regulatory oversight ensures that specimens are handled according to biosafety standards, and chain‑of‑custody documentation maintains the credibility of the data for epidemiological monitoring and research publications.