We test
Your tick!

Swiss Testing Lab - Partner

Why test?

One third of ticks carry pathogens.
Early detection, removal and analysis of the tick leads to clarity and allows for early treatment.

Lyme borreliosis but also early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) can be transmitted to humans by ticks. You can protect yourself against TBE with a vaccination, which is not the case with Lyme borreliosis.

Bacteria-borne Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease and leads to complex symptoms. In the early stages, wandering reddening of the skin (wandering reddening) can occur with accompanying flu-like symptoms.

What: Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi.
Where: All of Switzerland
How: Transmission through an infected tick
Symptoms: The first symptoms are evident by reddening of the skin at the site of the bite after the first few days or weeks.

In the second stage, serious illnesses that affect the joints, nervous system, skin, or the heart. Symptoms may only occur after weeks, months or even years.

What: TBE (Tick-borne encephalitis)
Where: All of Switzerland (except Geneva and Ticino)
How: Transmission by an infected tick
Symptoms: The first flu-like phase of the disease appears 14 days after the bite. In 5-15% of infected persons, it affects the nervous system after a symptom-free period. In 1% of neurological cases, it can lead to death.

Off to the laboratory!

Do you still have an AntiBrumm® tick test?
Then here is the result:

How should the tick be packed for mailing?

The best way is to use pressure-seal bags that can be sealed airtight at the top. Place the tick in a pressure seal 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 because the post office routes all envelopes through an automatic sorting center, which can damage the tube and cause the tick to be lost.

How do you protect yourself properly from ticks?

When going for walks, forest excursions and hikes, the best way to protect yourself from ticks is with:

  • Long trousers and closed shoes.
  • Put socks over your trousers
  • Wear light-colored clothes

  • Spray body parts and clothes that come into contact with grass or bushes with anti-tick spray.
  • Avoid the undergrowth.
  • Check your body for ticks after every outdoor activity

Particularly popular for ticks are damp and undisturbed parts of the body such as: Axel cavities, behind the ears, knee joints, intimate areas, etc.

As a person who has not been vaccinated against TBE, is it worthwhile to have the tick analyzed for TBE?

Since 2005, the number of TBE-infected persons in Switzerland has fluctuated between 100-250 cases per year.

The better climatic conditions for ticks and the fact that more people spend time outside have led to a significant increase in TBE infections in recent years.

The BAG (Bundesamt für Gesundheit; Federal Office of Public Health) has declared Switzerland a TBE risk area, except for the cantons of Geneva and Ticino. The BAG recommends a TBE tick analysis.

Is every tick a disease vector?

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

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

What are the possible consequences of an infection?

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

TBE (Tick-borne encephalitis) is found throughout Switzerland except for 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 it leads to an attack on the nervous system after a symptom-free period!

In 1 % of neurological cases, it can even lead to death.

How does transmission occur in the first place?

For transmission to occur, the tick must bite down and then suck blood. If this has not yet happened, transmission with Lyme disease or TBE is unlikely. Even if the tick has already sucked blood, transmission does not necessarily have to have occurred, as not every tick has to be a carrier of the pathogens.

Will my insurance pay for the tick analysis?

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.

Questions?

We would be happy to advise you by Phone or email

Biolytix AG
Benkenstrasse 254
4108 Witterswil
Schweiz