Tick PCR Identification and Tick-borne Disease Panels

October 23, 2025

LSU Diagnostics offers PCR tick identification and tick-borne disease panels.

Tick PCR Identification

  • Price: $120.00
  • Section: Molecular Diagnostics
  • Code: MTID
  • Turn Around Time: 1-2 Business Days
  • Days Test Started: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
  • Species: Ticks

Any of the Following Specimens are Acceptable

Whole ticks in glass/plastic tube with ethanol (do not submit live ticks).

Collection Protocol

Keep samples refrigerated until shipping.

Shipping Requirements

Overnight on ice/cold packs in insulated container.

Additional Information

Detects the following tick species:
  • Amblyomma maculatum
  • Amblyomma cajennense
  • Amblyomma americanum
  • Dermacentor andersoni
  • Dermacentor marginatus
  • Dermacentor variabilis
  • Dermacentor nitens
  • Dermacentor reticulatus
  • Haemaphysalis longicornis
  • Haemaphysalis flava
  • Ixodes hexagonus
  • Ixodes pacificus
  • Ixodes persulcatus
  • Ixodes scapularis
  • Ixodes ricinus
  • Rhipicephalus sanguineus

A genus level PCR is performed. If a positive result is found, a species level PCR if performed. If the genus PCR is positive but the species PCR is negative, the sample will be sent for sequencing to determine if another species not listed above is present.

Tick-borne Disease Panel: Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Francisella and Rickettsia Panel PCR

  • Price: $120.00
  • Section: Molecular Diagnostics
  • Code: MTBDP1
  • Turn Around Time: 1-2 Business Days
  • Days Test Started: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
  • Species: Canine, ticks

Any of the Following Specimens are Acceptable

Preferred: 

  • EDTA (purple top) whole blood
  • Whole ticks in glass/plastic tube with ethanol (do not submit live ticks)

Other specimens deemed appropriate by the submitter are acceptable.

DO NOT SUBMIT SERUM.

Collection Protocol

Keep samples refrigerated until shipping.

Swabs: Use non-culture swabs (no growth/culture medium, transport medium, or agar on swab or in tube).  Please submit two swabs per sample.

Tissue: Send 25-100 mg of fresh, fixed or frozen tissue.

Fluids: Send at least 1 ml in a sterile tube such as red top tube.

Urine: Send at least 1 ml in a sterile tube such as red top tube.

Whole blood: 1-4 ml in Vacutainer with EDTA (lavender/purple top).

Shipping Requirements

Overnight on ice/cold packs in insulated container.

Additional Information

Detects the following pathogens:
  • Anaplasma marginale
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  • Anaplasma platys
  • Ehrlichia canis
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis
  • Ehrlichia ewingii
  • Ehrlichia muris
  • Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis
  • Borrelia afzelii
  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Borrelia garinii
  • Borrelia mayonii
  • Borrelia miyamotoi
  • Rickettsia amblyommatis
  • Rickettsia andeanae
  • Rickettsia parkeri
  • Rickettsia philipii (species 364D)
  • Rickettsia rickettsii
  • Francisella tularensis subsp tularensis

A genus level PCR is performed. If a positive result is found, a species level PCR if performed. If the genus PCR is positive but the species PCR is negative, the sample will be sent for sequencing to determine if another species not listed above is present.

Tick-borne Disease Panel: Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Francisella and Rickettsia Panel PCR

  • Price: $120.00
  • Section: Molecular Diagnostics
  • Code: MTBDP1
  • Turn Around Time: 1-2 Business Days
  • Days Test Started: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
  • Species: Canine, ticks

Any of the Following Specimens are Acceptable

Preferred: 

  • EDTA (purple top) whole blood
  • Whole ticks in glass/plastic tube with ethanol (do not submit live ticks)

Other specimens deemed appropriate by the submitter are acceptable.

DO NOT SUBMIT SERUM.

Collection Protocol

Keep samples refrigerated until shipping.

Swabs: Use non-culture swabs (no growth/culture medium, transport medium, or agar on swab or in tube).  Please submit two swabs per sample.

Tissue: Send 25-100 mg of fresh, fixed or frozen tissue.

Fluids: Send at least 1 ml in a sterile tube such as red top tube.

Urine: Send at least 1 ml in a sterile tube such as red top tube.

Whole blood: 1-4 ml in Vacutainer with EDTA (lavender/purple top).

Shipping Requirements

Overnight on ice/cold packs in insulated container.

Additional Information

Detects the following pathogens:
  • Anaplasma marginale
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  • Anaplasma platys
  • Ehrlichia canis
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis
  • Ehrlichia ewingii
  • Ehrlichia muris
  • Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis
  • Borrelia afzelii
  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Borrelia garinii
  • Borrelia mayonii
  • Borrelia miyamotoi
  • Rickettsia amblyommatis
  • Rickettsia andeanae
  • Rickettsia parkeri
  • Rickettsia philipii (species 364D)
  • Rickettsia rickettsii
  • Francisella tularensis subsp tularensis

A genus level PCR is performed. If a positive result is found, a species level PCR if performed. If the genus PCR is positive but the species PCR is negative, the sample will be sent for sequencing to determine if another species not listed above is present.