Where can a skin tick test be submitted? - briefly
Skin prick testing results can be sent to accredited clinical laboratories, allergy or dermatology clinics, and hospital pathology departments that process dermatological specimens. These facilities accept specimens for analysis and reporting under standard medical protocols.
Where can a skin tick test be submitted? - in detail
A skin tick test, also known as a skin prick or intradermal allergy test, must be processed by facilities equipped to handle biological specimens and perform specialized laboratory analysis. The following locations accept such samples:
- Clinical laboratories that are CLIA‑certified and have an allergy/immunology department. Examples include large hospital labs (e.g., Mayo Clinic Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic) and commercial reference labs (e.g., Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp).
- Allergy clinics operated by board‑certified allergists. These clinics typically collect the sample on‑site and forward it to an accredited partner laboratory for evaluation.
- University medical centers with research or teaching immunology labs. They often provide testing for both patients and study participants, adhering to institutional review board (IRB) protocols.
- Public health laboratories in regions where tick‑borne diseases are prevalent. State health department labs may accept specimens for surveillance and diagnostic purposes.
- Specialized private laboratories focusing on vector‑borne disease diagnostics. Companies such as TickCheck and VectorPath offer direct submission portals for skin tick assays.
When choosing a venue, verify that the laboratory holds appropriate accreditation (e.g., CAP, ISO 15189) and follows standardized protocols for sample preservation, transport temperature, and documentation. Proper labeling, including patient identification, collection date, and test requisition form, is mandatory to ensure accurate processing and reporting.