Where to send a tick for encephalitis testing?

Where to send a tick for encephalitis testing? - briefly

Submit the specimen to your state or provincial public health laboratory, which will forward it to the CDC’s Division of Vector‑Borne Diseases if necessary. Contact the health department for specific shipping instructions and required forms.

Where to send a tick for encephalitis testing? - in detail

Submitting a tick for encephalitis testing requires selecting a laboratory that offers validated molecular or serologic assays for the relevant viral agents. Public health agencies, specialized veterinary diagnostic centers, and commercial reference laboratories provide this service.

The most reliable options include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory

  • Contact: 770‑488‑7100 (Entomology Division) or submit via the CDC’s online specimen submission portal.
  • Accepts dried or frozen ticks; specimens must be placed in a sealed, sterile container with a desiccant or on dry ice.
  • Requires a completed request form, collection date, geographic coordinates, and host information.

• State or provincial health department laboratories

  • Each jurisdiction maintains a list of approved facilities; contact the local health officer or visit the department’s website for specimen submission guidelines.
  • Typically accept refrigerated ticks (4 °C) or frozen specimens; some states provide prepaid shipping kits.

• Veterinary diagnostic laboratories (e.g., Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)

  • Offer PCR panels for West Nile virus, Powassan virus, and other tick‑borne encephalitis agents.
  • Accept ticks in 70 % ethanol or frozen; require a signed chain‑of‑custody form.

• Commercial reference laboratories (e.g., Eurofins, IDEXX)

  • Provide turn‑around times of 5–10 days for multiplex PCR assays.
  • Shipping instructions include insulated packaging with ice packs, a dry ice label, and a completed test requisition.

General shipping instructions:

1. Place the tick in a leak‑proof container with appropriate preservative (dry ice, ice packs, or ethanol).
2. Seal the container and label with “Biological specimen – tick.”
3. Include a completed requisition form detailing species, collection site, date, and suspected exposure.
4. Use an overnight courier service that complies with IATA regulations for biological specimens.
5. Retain a copy of the tracking number and documentation for reference.

Cost considerations vary by provider; public health labs often charge no fee for state‑mandated surveillance, while commercial labs bill per specimen and per test panel. Turn‑around time ranges from 24 hours for urgent public health requests to up to two weeks for routine analysis.

Choosing the appropriate laboratory depends on the urgency of diagnosis, available funding, and the specific encephalitis viruses of interest. Following the outlined submission protocols ensures specimen integrity and reliable test results.