Tick testing demand rises amid growing Lyme disease concerns

Lyme disease is transmitted by bites from infected ticks which live in many different outdoor environments, but they are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas. 

Scientists at Biobest are able to perform molecular analysis on ticks removed from people or animals to detect the presence of Borrelia bacteria.  

The presence of certain Borrelia species is a risk factor for infection and potential serious illness, and the results of the test can enable people to seek urgent medical help.  

It is believed that ticks need to be attached for more than 24 hours in order to transmit the bacteria, so prompt removal is important in minimising the risk of exposure to infection. 

When a tick sample arrives at Biobest’s laboratory on the Edinburgh Technopole site in Scotland, the first step of the process is to extract DNA from the tick, which is then tested for the presence of Borrelia DNA. The person sending the tick then receives a positive or negative result. 

Demand for tests doubled

Demand for the test from people worried about Lyme disease has more than doubled in the past 12 months, with 75 ticks being tested in June 2025 compared to 29 in June 2024. Approximately 4% of the ticks tested were positive for Borrelia. 

Biobest’s chief operations officer Stuart Marshall said: “People enjoying the outdoors over the summer holidays are more at risk of being bitten if taking part in activities such as hiking, cycling or camping. However, people can also be exposed to ticks while on a walk in some urban parks and gardens. 

“Most people will not realise they have been bitten at the time and will only realise when they see a tick embedded in their skin or when a ‘bullseye’ rash develops weeks later. If left untreated, symptoms can include heart palpitations, facial palsy, severe joint pain and short-term memory loss. 

“A positive result from our test does not mean the individual will definitely go on to develop Lyme disease, but it does show the causative agent is present. This allows discussion with the individual’s GP to enable early preventative treatment.” 

Although primarily intended as a test for ticks from humans, the laboratory can also test ticks removed from dogs and other animals. However, Lyme disease in dogs is complex, and results would need to be discussed with the animal’s vet. 

What to do if you find a tick embedded in your skin 

• Ticks should be removed steadily and evenly using a specialist tick-removing tool or fine-tip tweezers. Do not use any alcohol-based products when removing the tick, as this can interfere with the testing process. 

• Once removed, place the tick in a rigid container to reduce the risk of it being crushed in transit. Please do not use sticky tape, as this can interfere with the testing process. 

• The tick can be killed by freezing it for 48 hours prior to shipping to Biobest. 

• Complete the Lyme disease PCR submission form available for download here.

• If the test result is positive, it should be discussed with your doctor at the earliest opportunity so you can receive appropriate treatment and minimise the risk of long-term illness. 

Mr Marshall added: “With the warmer weather and the school holidays, many of us will be spending more time outside, and this increases the risk of exposure to a booming tick population. In the UK, bites are most commonly acquired when walking in woodland and heathland areas, with ticks most prevalent in southern England and the Scottish Highlands. 

“There is much more awareness of Lyme disease, and we are seeing an increase in sample numbers, and we’re receiving more and more enquiries. We can test to see if the tick carries the causative agent for Lyme disease in humans so they can have a discussion with their GP as early as possible.” 

For more information on the Biobest Lyme Disease PCR test, click here. 

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