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Tick test
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Tick test
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Tick test
Tick test

What is it about?

One third of ticks carry pathogens.

Early detection, removal and analysis of the tick leads to clarity and enables early treatment.

Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are diseases that are transmitted through the bite of an infectious tick. It is possible to protect yourself against TBE with a vaccination.

To date, there are no vaccinations against other tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia, ALSV (Alongshan virus), Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Babesia. This underlines the importance of precautionary measures and early testing after tick bites in order to enable timely diagnosis and treatment and minimize health risks.

Lyme disease, for example, which is transmitted by bacteria, is the most common tick-borne disease and leads to complex symptoms. In the early stages, there may be a migratory reddening of the skin (migratory erythema) with accompanying flu-like symptoms.

The Alongshan virus (ALSV) was discovered in Swiss ticks for the first time in 2022. This virus appears to be at least as widespread as the tick-borne encephalitis virus and leads to similar symptoms. There is no vaccination against the Alongshan virus.

Borrelia / Lyme borreliosis

What: Borrelia are bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

Where: Worldwide distribution, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and Austria

How: Transmission through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks.

Symptoms: Often begins with flushing at the site of the bite, followed by fever, headache and fatigue. Can lead to joint inflammation, neurological problems and heart complications. Symptoms vary and can progress without treatment.

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Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)

What: TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) is a viral disease.

Where: Widespread in Europe and Asia, including Switzerland (except Geneva and Ticino)

How: Transmission through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks

Symptoms: The first flu-like phase of the disease appears 14 days after the bite. In 5 – 15% of those infected, it leads to infestation of the nervous system after a symptom-free period. Can lead to meningitis, encephalitis or meningoencephalitis. Severe cases are rare, but can have long-term consequences or be fatal.

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Alongshan virus (ALSV)

What: Alongshan virus (ALSV) is a recently identified virus.

Where: Previous cases have been reported mainly in Asia, but first cases were detected in Switzerland and Europe in 2022.

How: Transmission through an infected tick

Symptoms: Symptoms and disease progression are not yet fully understood, but appear to include flu-like symptoms and could cause TBE-like neurological complications.

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Rickettsia

What: Rickettsiae are a genus of bacteria that can cause various diseases, including typhus and other rickettsial diseases.

Where: Occurs worldwide, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and Austria

How: Transmission usually occurs through the bite of infected ticks, but can also be transmitted by lice, fleas and mites.

Symptoms: Symptoms vary depending on the type of rickettsiosis, but often begin with a sudden fever, headache, muscle aches and a characteristic rash. Some forms of the disease can lead to more serious complications such as meningitis, kidney failure or severe skin lesions. The incubation period is usually 5 to 14 days after the bite.

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Ehrlichia

What: Ehrlichia are bacteria that cause tick-borne diseases.

Where: Occurs worldwide, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and Austria

How: Transmission occurs through the bite of infected ticks.

Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain. In severe cases, anemia, low blood cell counts and organ failure may occur. The symptoms usually appear a few days after the bite.

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Off to the lab!

As soon as we receive your tick sample, our experts immediately start analyzing it. We examine the tick with the latest technology and the highest precision. Discounts are offered on combination analysis packages.

Analysis packages:

Bacteria:

  • Borrelia analysis
    76.35 €

    *

  • Ehrlichia analysis
    76.35 €

    *

  • Rickettsiae analysis
    76.35 €

    *

  • All bacteria (borrelia, rickettsia, ehrlichia)
    Original price was: 229.05 €.Current price is: 193.56 €.

    *

Viruses:

  • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) analysis
    123.67 €

    *

  • Alongshan virus (ALSV) analysis
    123.67 €

    *

  • All viruses (FSME + ALSV)
    Original price was: 247.33 €.Current price is: 209.69 €.

    *

  • All pathogenic germs (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, TBE and ALSV)
    Original price was: 476.37 €.Current price is: 371.00 €.

    *

*All prices in CHF, excl. VAT. Conversion to other currencies at checkout according to daily exchange rate, incl. relevant VAT.

Carefully remove the tick with tweezers. The Borrelia bacteria are in the tick’s stomach and TBE is in the tick’s saliva. If possible, keep the tick’s body intact.

Tick test

Carefully transfer the tick into a ziplock bag, close it airtight and place the tick in an envelope.

Tick test

Complete the order and enclose the order confirmation you received by e-mail and the tick in the envelope.

Tick test

Send the envelope to the following address:

Biolytix AG
Zeckentest Schweiz
Neumattweg 16
4243 Dittingen

Tick test
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Frequently asked questions

If several ticks have been detected on a person, these can be sent in together as one analysis. We will then carry out a pooled analysis. Attention: Group ticks per person, otherwise the result cannot be assigned.

Contact your family doctor as soon as possible.

For transmission, the tick must attach itself and then suck blood. If this has not yet happened, an infection with Lyme disease or TBE cannot occur. Even if the tick has already sucked blood, transmission does not necessarily occur, as not every tick is necessarily a carrier of the pathogens.

Lyme borreliosis can be transmitted by infected ticks throughout Switzerland.
The FOPH has declared Switzerland a TBE risk area with the exception of the cantons of Geneva and Ticino.

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/zeckenuebertragene-krankheiten.html

In Germany, as stated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), certain regions are considered TBE risk areas, including parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. In contrast, Lyme disease, which is also transmitted by ticks, is found throughout Germany, with no specific risk areas. For detailed information on TBE risk areas in Germany, please visit the RKI website.

https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte_Tab.html#:~:text=FSME%20%2DRisikogebiete%20in%20Deutschland%20(Stand,2022%20auch%20im%20s%C3%BCd%C3%B6stlichen%20Brandenburg

In France, studies show that ticks that transmit Lyme disease are widespread throughout the country, with a higher presence in wooded areas, humid regions and the north-east of France. Regions with a lower risk are the Mediterranean zone and high mountain regions. Specific information on risk areas can be found on the following page:

https://www.inrae.fr/actualites/cartes-meteo-tiques-france-metropolitaine#:~:text=La%20carte%20confirme%20que%20les,m%C3%A9diterran%C3%A9ennes%20et%20de%20haute%20montagne.

An infection initially begins harmlessly with redness at the injection site (erysipelas). In the second stage, serious illnesses can occur with possible effects on the joints, nervous system, skin or even the heart.
Inadequate treatment can lead to permanent disabilities!

TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) is found throughout Switzerland with the exception of Geneva and Ticino. The first phase of the disease appears 14 days after the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms are flu-like and in 5 – 15 % of those infected, the nervous system is affected after a symptom-free period!
In 1 % of neurological cases, it can even lead to death.

Bacteria:
Borrelia analysis: 71.00 CHF *
Rickettsia analysis: 71.00 CHF *
Ehrlichia analysis: 71.00 CHF *

All bacteria (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia) 180 CHF*

Viruses:
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) analysis: 115 CHF *
Alongshan virus (ALSV) analysis: 115 CHF *

All viruses (FSME + ALSV) 195 CHF*

All pathogenic germs (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, TBE and ALSV) 345 CHF*

*Alle Preise in CHF, exkl. MwSt. Umrechnung in andere Währungen beim Checkout nach Tageskurs, inkl. relevanter MwSt.

Various pathogens can be transmitted by ticks. The most common and best-known diseases in the northern hemisphere are borelliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).

However, this does not mean that every tick carries and transmits this disease. In Switzerland, the transmission of Borelliosis by ticks is between 20 – 50%. For TBE it is only 0.5% (in the risk areas).

Since 2005, the number of TBE infections in Switzerland has fluctuated between 100-250 cases per year.
The improved climatic conditions for ticks and more people spending time outdoors have led to a significant increase in TBE infections in recent years.

The FOPH declared Switzerland a TBE risk area with the exception of the cantons of Geneva and Ticino. Certain regions in Germany are also considered TBE risk areas, including parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony.

The best way to protect yourself from ticks when going for a walk, forest excursions and hikes is with:

  • Long pants and closed shoes.
  • Wear light-colored clothing (better recognition of ticks).
  • Spray body parts and clothing that come into contact with grass or bushes with anti-tick spray.
  • Walk around the undergrowth.
  • Check your body for ticks every time you go outside.

Moist and undisturbed areas of the body are particularly popular with ticks, e.g. behind the ears: Axel cavities, behind the ears, knee joints, intimate areas, etc.

The most suitable bags are pressure seal bags that can be sealed airtight at the top. Place the tick in a ziplock bag, seal it well, place the bag with the tick in a normal envelope, seal the envelope and send it by post to Biolytix AG.

Laboratory or plastic tubes are less suitable, as the post office sends all envelopes through an automatic sorting center. There it can happen that a tube breaks and the tick is lost.

Address of the laboratory:
Biolytix AG / Tick test
Neumattweg 16
4243 Dittingen, Switzerland

In a pressure-seal bag and, if possible, chilled (refrigerator or freezer).

Send to the following address in a pressure-sealed bag and, if possible, refrigerated.

Biolytix AG / Tick test
Neumattweg 16
4243 Dittingen, Switzerland

No, the laboratory needs the abdomen of the tick for a successful analysis. Whether the tick is still alive or not is irrelevant.

Experience has shown that accident insurance may cover the costs. Provided it can be declared as an accident. To be on the safe side, you should contact your insurance company in advance.

You will normally receive the result within three working days.