Where should a tick be sent for analysis? - briefly
A tick intended for diagnostic testing should be mailed or delivered to a certified public‑health or medical‑entomology laboratory, such as the state health department’s vector‑borne disease lab or the CDC’s Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory. These facilities have the expertise and equipment to identify species and detect pathogens.
Where should a tick be sent for analysis? - in detail
Ticks submitted for diagnostic or research purposes should be directed to facilities equipped for entomological identification and pathogen detection. Primary options include public health laboratories, university entomology departments, and accredited commercial testing services.
Public health agencies maintain regional laboratories that perform species confirmation and test for common bacterial, viral, and protozoan agents. Contact the state or provincial health department to obtain submission forms, packaging instructions, and shipping labels. These labs usually accept live or frozen specimens and provide results within a standard turnaround time.
University programs with vector‑biology expertise offer specialized analysis. Institutions such as the Department of Entomology at major research universities operate tick identification services and can screen for a broader panel of pathogens, including emerging agents. Submissions typically require a completed request form and may involve a fee.
The national reference center for arthropod‑borne diseases, for example the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, processes high‑priority samples and provides confirmatory testing for rare or novel pathogens. Requests are submitted through the agency’s online portal, and specimens must be shipped on dry ice with appropriate biohazard labeling.
Commercial diagnostic laboratories accredited by the College of American Pathologists or equivalent bodies accept ticks for routine pathogen panels. These services often deliver electronic reports and may offer expedited processing for clinical cases.
Key destinations for tick analysis
- State or provincial public health laboratory (contact local health department)
- University entomology or vector‑biology department (e.g., Cornell University, University of Texas)
- National reference center (e.g., CDC Arbovirus and Tick-borne Disease Branch)
- Accredited private diagnostic laboratory (e.g., Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp)
When preparing the specimen, place the tick in a sealed, ventilated container, add a cold pack if required, and include a completed requisition form detailing collection date, location, host, and suspected exposure. Follow the receiving laboratory’s biosafety and shipping guidelines to ensure specimen integrity and regulatory compliance.