Catherine Hogan - Molecular barcoding vs microscopy of Ixodes and Dermacentor ticks: A Prospective Comparative Evaluation Study over the 2024 Tick Season in British Columbia

The BCCDC Public Health Laboratory performs routine tick identification by microscopy through passive tick surveillance. Over the 2024 tick season, the Parasitology Laboratory implemented a new workflow to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of a molecular barcoding assay based on cytochrome oxidase I against microscopy for tick identification. A total of 266 ticks were included, and overall concordance was 88%. Discordant results highlighted some challenges with microscopy, including the inherent morphology overlap of certain species, and identification of immature stages. This project lays the groundwork for use of a complementary tool that can optimize detection of novel and emerging tick species, and contribute to a revisited tick epidemiology of BC.

Mediasite Presenter

10/31/2024 7:50:00 PM