Where can you test a tick for disease? - briefly
Ticks can be sent to state or county health department laboratories, university veterinary diagnostic centers, or commercial services such as TickReport for pathogen testing. Contact the appropriate agency for submission instructions.
Where can you test a tick for disease? - in detail
Testing a tick for pathogens requires sending the specimen to a qualified laboratory or service that performs arthropod analysis. Options include:
- State or provincial public‑health laboratories – most health departments operate a vector‑testing program. Submit the tick through the agency’s online portal or by mail, following the provided collection guidelines. Results are typically returned within 2–4 weeks.
- University or research institution labs – many entomology or epidemiology departments run diagnostic services for the public. Contact the department’s outreach office to arrange drop‑off or courier delivery. These labs often use PCR and sequencing to identify bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
- Commercial diagnostic companies – firms such as TickReport, Quest Diagnostics, and Labcorp offer mail‑in testing kits. Collect the tick in a sterile container, fill out the request form, and ship the sample using the prepaid label. Turnaround time ranges from 7 to 14 days.
- Veterinary clinics – veterinarians frequently submit ticks to animal‑health labs (e.g., IDEXX, Antech) for analysis of zoonotic agents. The clinic can handle specimen handling and result interpretation for both pets and humans.
- Non‑profit tick‑testing programs – organizations like the Tickborne Disease Alliance partner with accredited labs to provide low‑cost testing. Registration is completed on the organization’s website; specimens are mailed in a sealed container.
When preparing a specimen, follow these steps:
- Use a clean, dry vial or sealed plastic bag; avoid preservatives unless specified.
- Label the container with collection date, location (GPS coordinates if possible), and host information.
- Complete the accompanying questionnaire accurately; it guides the laboratory in selecting appropriate assays.
- Ship the sample promptly, using insulated packaging if ambient temperatures exceed 25 °C.
Testing coverage varies by region. In the United States, every state’s health department lists a vector‑testing service; Canada’s provincial health agencies provide similar resources. In the United Kingdom, the Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency) accepts submissions through local authorities. European countries often route specimens through national reference laboratories coordinated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Choosing a service depends on cost, turnaround time, and the range of pathogens screened. PCR panels typically detect Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia spp.; some labs also include Powassan virus and Tick‑borne encephalitis virus assays. Confirmed results guide clinical management and public‑health reporting.