Lyme Disease, Infection Risks and Tick Testing for Borrelia burgdorferi

Earlier this summer, National Public Radio (NPR) published the article “Ticks and Lyme Disease: 3 Factors Determine Risk of Infection.” This was an important article and timely topic for millions of Americans that live in areas with high infection rates.

The article shared the expertise of a professor of entomology from the University of Rhode Island. The professor listed three factors that could determine one’s risk of getting Lyme disease. They included:

• The tick species that bit a human
• What part of the country the tick came from
• How long it was feeding on the host

In the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and North Central United States the blacklegged tick spreads the disease. On the Pacific Coast, the western blacklegged tick spreads it. Researchers have also found that in some parts of the country, such as the Northeast and Upper Midwest, these ticks are much more likely to carry the bacteria. With regards to ticks feeding on their hosts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm) and difficult to see; they feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit the Lyme disease bacterium, but they are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to cause an infection.

“Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms that may include fever, headache, fatigue, facial paralysis, arthritis and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans or EM,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Health professionals encourage people to seek medical attention if they observe Lyme disease symptoms and have had a tick bite. At EMSL, we offer testing of the actual tick to determine if the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease, is present within the tick. The testing utilizes an exceptionally accurate and powerful PCR-based DNA analysis.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about ticks and Lyme disease that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/nzINREQurOg .

For more information about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.TickTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To obtain a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit, visit: www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 8563032503

Contact via E-mail