Where can a tick be tested for infection? - briefly
Ticks can be submitted to state or provincial public‑health laboratories, university veterinary/medical research facilities, or commercial diagnostic companies that specialize in vector‑borne disease testing. Your local health department can provide the appropriate contact information and sample‑submission protocol.
Where can a tick be tested for infection? - in detail
Ticks removed from humans or animals can be examined for pathogens at several types of facilities. Public health departments often provide free or low‑cost testing for tick‑borne diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, or babesiosis. Samples are usually submitted to a state laboratory, where PCR or serological assays are performed. Results are returned within a few weeks.
Hospitals and medical centers may send ticks to affiliated reference laboratories. These laboratories specialize in molecular diagnostics and can detect a broad panel of bacterial, viral, and protozoan agents. Physicians typically arrange the submission through the hospital’s laboratory services, and patients receive a report through their health‑care provider.
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals accept ticks collected from pets. Many clinics partner with commercial diagnostic companies that offer tick‑analysis kits. Owners can bring the specimen to the clinic, where staff place it in a sealed container and forward it to the company’s laboratory. Turnaround time ranges from 7 to 14 days, and fees are listed on the provider’s website.
University or research institution laboratories frequently conduct tick testing for research projects or community outreach programs. Contact the entomology or microbiology department to inquire about specimen submission guidelines. Some universities operate mail‑in services, allowing individuals to send ticks in a padded envelope with a prepaid label.
Private diagnostic firms provide direct‑to‑consumer testing. Companies sell kits that include a specimen container, instructions, and a prepaid shipping label. After receiving the tick, the laboratory performs multiplex PCR assays and emails the findings. Prices vary, and the service is advertised on the firm’s website.
When preparing a tick for analysis, follow these steps:
- Use fine tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and remove it without crushing.
- Place the intact specimen in a sterile, sealable tube (e.g., a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube).
- Label the tube with the date of removal, location of the bite, and host species.
- Keep the sample refrigerated (4 °C) if it will be shipped within 24 hours; otherwise, freeze at –20 °C.
- Include any required paperwork or electronic forms specified by the testing laboratory.
Testing options differ by region, but most jurisdictions have at least one public health laboratory capable of analyzing ticks. Checking the website of the local health department or calling a nearby hospital’s laboratory department provides the most current information on available services, costs, and submission procedures.