Tick-borne Bacteria Laboratory
Tick-borne diseases are a group of bacterial and viral diseases transmitted to humans by various tick species and other arthropod vectors. The Tick-borne Diseases Laboratory offers reference testing for tick-associated bacterial pathogens in human samples using molecular based techniques. Both clinically validated and research-based testing protocols are available for testing a variety of pathogens.
The New York State Tick-Borne Diseases Laboratory offers tests for detection of the following tick-borne bacteria in human samples:
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- A causative agent of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA) or Ehrlichiosis (HGE).
- Ehrlichia chafeensis
- Causative agent of Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME).
- Borrelia burgdorferi
and
Borrelia species - The causative agent of Lyme disease.
- Bartonella species
- The causative agent of Cat Scratch disease (B. henselae) and Trench fever (B. quintana). Other Bartonella species are also detected.
- Babesia microti
- (Testing is performed in the Wadsworth Center Parasitology Lab). The causative agent of Babesiosis.
Submission of materials:
Clinical laboratories can obtain specimen requirements, requisition forms, and mailing instructions by contacting the lab. For tick identification services, please see http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/lyme/tickid.htm.
Contact Information:
Lab Supervisor:
Linda Gebhardt
518-474-4177
lgebhardt@wadsworth.org



