You are invited to take part in a research study of ticks in Canada by submitting a tick you encountered for laboratory analysis. This study will look at the pathogens in ticks to generate a better understanding of disease-causing agents in our environment.

The main goal of this research program is to learn more about the bacteria in ticks that cause Lyme and related diseases. When analyses are complete, participants will receive a pathogen profile for their tick if desired from Geneticks. This will identify whether Lyme-causing Borrelia were detected in the sample. It may also indicate whether other pathogens were present. Please note that timely reporting of results cannot be guaranteed. If you require expedited testing, or a comprehensive analysis of your tick, please seek alternative options. Follow this link for an overview of other tick testing opportunities: G Magnotta Foundation.

This work is valuable to the broader community because it identifies the types of pathogens present in Canadian ticks. This information may one day inform the development of diagnostic or surveillance tools, indicating that there may be indirect commercial applications for this work in the future.

This work is supported by the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases and Caron Thornburn Institute.

Ticks can be mailed to the address below:

Geneticks Canada
P.O. Box 383, Uxbridge Station Main
Uxbridge Ontario
L9P 1M8