Tick Test- Rare Pathogen Panels
We offer additional testing for rare and other uncharacterized tick-borne bacteria and viruses. Additional testing is offered as an extension to our Universal Tick Test service. We may recommend one or more of these tests if a rare, nonpathogenic or uncharacterized pathogen is suspected. Please contact us for a recommendation. Tests typically require 3 business days.
RNA Virus Tests ($50 each)
Powassan virus (POWV) test
Tick Species: Deer tick (aka Ixodes scapularis/blacklegged tick) or subset of related species.
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/symptoms.html
U.S. Location: Powassan virus disease (Powassan) has been reported primarily from northeastern states and the Great Lakes region.
Colorado Tick Fever (CTF) virus test
Tick Species: Dermacentor andersoni/Rocky Mtn. Wood tick
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coloradotickfever/symptoms-treatment.html
Location: Exclusively found in the western United States or western Canada at higher elevations (4,000‒10,000 ft. above sea level).
Heartland virus test
Tick Species: Amblyomma americanum/Lone star tick
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coloradotickfever/symptoms-treatment.html
Location: According to the CDC Heartland virus cases have been identified in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Ehrlichia/ Rickettsia Species Tests ($30 total)
Ehrlichia Species Test
Pathogenic, nonpathogenic and uncharacterized species including Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (formerly called Ehrlichia muris-like (EML))
Tick Species: Deer tick (aka Ixodes scapularis/blacklegged tick), Lone Star tick, Gulf Coast tick, Western black-legged tick, Brown dog tick, others
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/symptoms/index.html
Rickettsia Species Test
Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SGFR) including pathogenic, nonpathogenic and uncharacterized species
Tick Species: Most, if not all, tick species are associated with one or more Rickettsial bacteria species (see note below).
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/otherspottedfever/symptoms/index.html
Note: Typically, patients infected with less characterized SFGR, such as Rickettsia amblyommatis or Rickettsia montanensis (included in the test), have subclinical or completely asymptomatic infections.