Where to send a tick for expert analysis? - briefly
Submit the specimen to a recognized public‑health laboratory, such as the CDC’s Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory, or to a university entomology department that provides tick identification services. Contact the chosen facility in advance to verify submission procedures and shipping guidelines.
Where to send a tick for expert analysis? - in detail
If a tick has been removed and requires professional identification, pathogen testing, or species verification, submit it to a recognized laboratory or specialist institution. Follow these steps to ensure reliable results:
- Preserve the specimen immediately. Place the tick in a sealed, airtight container (e.g., a 1.5‑ml microcentrifuge tube) with a small amount of 70 % ethanol or keep it dry in a paper envelope, depending on the requested analysis.
- Label the container with collection date, geographic location, host species, and any relevant clinical information.
- Choose an appropriate recipient:
- University or research institute entomology departments – many offer identification services and may conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Borrelia, Anaplasma, or other tick‑borne agents.
- State or provincial health departments – public health laboratories routinely process ticks for surveillance and can provide official reports.
- Commercial diagnostic companies – firms such as CDC‑affiliated reference labs, IDEXX, or Quest Diagnostics accept mailed specimens for pathogen screening.
- Specialized tick‑identification networks – organizations like the Tick Identification and Surveillance (TIS) program accept submissions via online portals and return detailed species reports.
- Contact the selected facility before shipping. Obtain shipping instructions, required paperwork, and any fees. Most labs provide prepaid mailing labels for rapid dispatch.
- Ship the specimen using a reliable courier service. Ensure the package complies with biological material regulations; include a completed customs declaration if the shipment crosses international borders.
- Retain the tracking number and request confirmation of receipt. Expect a turnaround time of 1–3 weeks for standard identification and up to 4 weeks for comprehensive pathogen panels.
By adhering to preservation protocols, providing complete metadata, and selecting a qualified laboratory, the tick can be examined accurately, yielding reliable species identification and, where applicable, detection of disease‑causing microorganisms.