Where can a tick be sent for laboratory analysis? - briefly
Ticks can be sent to state or provincial public‑health laboratories, university parasitology departments, veterinary diagnostic centers, or commercial tick‑testing services that process specimens for pathogen detection. Contact the local health department for the required submission form and shipping guidelines.
Where can a tick be sent for laboratory analysis? - in detail
Ticks collected from humans, animals, or the environment can be examined by a range of specialized facilities. The choice of laboratory depends on the purpose of testing—identification of species, detection of pathogens, or confirmation of infection risk.
Public health agencies operate state or regional laboratories that accept tick specimens for routine surveillance. Examples include state health department vector‑borne disease labs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Arbovirus Laboratory, and provincial health authority labs in Canada and Europe. These centers provide species identification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for bacteria such as Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp., and screening for viral agents.
University‑affiliated research laboratories often offer more extensive panels, including next‑generation sequencing and serological assays. Institutions such as the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), the University of Cambridge Department of Parasitology, and the Australian National University Vector Biology Unit process ticks submitted by clinicians, veterinarians, or citizen scientists.
Private diagnostic companies specialize in veterinary and human tick testing. Companies like IDEXX Laboratories, Bio-Rad Laboratories, and Quest Diagnostics provide commercial kits for pathogen detection and can receive mailed specimens under regulated conditions.
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals may forward ticks to regional veterinary diagnostic labs, such as the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University or the Royal Veterinary College in London, for species confirmation and testing of zoonotic agents.
International reference centers maintain repositories and offer advanced analyses for rare or emerging pathogens. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Tick‑Borne Disease Reference Laboratory and the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Vector‑Borne Diseases accept submissions from member states.
When submitting a tick, follow these general steps:
- Place the specimen in a sealed, dry tube or a vial with 70 % ethanol, depending on the target test.
- Label the container with collection date, location (GPS coordinates if available), host information, and contact details.
- Include a completed request form specifying desired analyses (species identification, PCR for specific pathogens, serology, etc.).
- Ship via a regulated courier service, adhering to biosafety and customs regulations for biological material.
By selecting the appropriate laboratory—public health, academic, private diagnostic, or international reference—researchers and clinicians can obtain accurate identification and comprehensive pathogen screening for ticks.