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 disease, but also tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), are diseases that are transmitted by the bite of an infectious tick. There is the possibility to protect oneself against TBE with a vaccination, which is not the case with Lyme borreliosis.

Lyme disease, 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 redness of the skin (wandering redness) with accompanying flu-like symptoms.

In 2022, Alongshan virus (ALSV) was first detected in Swiss ticks. This virus appears to be at least as common as the tick-borne encephalitis virus and causes similar symptoms. There is no vaccination against the Alongshan virus.

Lyme disease / Lyme borreliosis

What: Lyme disease is a disease that is mostly caused by the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi.

Where: All of Switzerland

How: Transmission by an infected tick

Symptoms: The first symptoms are evident by redness at the site of the bite after the first few days or weeks (known as wandering redness).
In the second stage, serious illnesses such as infestation of the joints, nervous system, skin or the heart may only occur after weeks, months or even years.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

What: tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

Where: All of Switzerland (except Geneva and Ticino)

How: Transmission by an infected tick

Symptoms: First flu-like phase of illness appears 14 days after bite. In 5 – 15% of infected persons, it leads to an attack of the nervous system after a symptom-free period. In 1% of neurological cases it leads to death.

Alongshan Virus (ALSV)

What: Alongshan Virus (ALSV)

Where: All of Switzerland

How: Transmission by an infected tick

Symptoms: Not yet conclusively researched. The course of the disease is similar to that of TBE.

Off to the laboratory!

Analyze
Your tick

Please send us your tick by post in a pressure seal bag incl. order sheet in a normal envelope.

Costs for individual analyses:

Borrelia analysis:

76.50 CHF *

TBE analysis:

123.90 CHF *

ALSV analysis:

123.90 CHF *

Analysis packages are offered at a discount:

Borrelia + FSME: 

180 CHF* (200.40 CHF)

Borrelia + ALSV: 

180 CHF* (200.40 CHF)

FSME + ALSV:

230 CHF* (247.80 CHF)

Borrelia + FSME + ALSV:

300 CHF* (324.30 CHF)


* incl. VAT.

1

Remove the tick carefully with tweezers.

The borrelia are in the stomach of the tick and TBE in the saliva of the tick.

If possible, keep the body of the tick intact.

Zeckenentfernung Schritt 1
2

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

Zeckenentfernung Schritt 2
3

Please follow the link below to complete the order

shop.ticktest.ch

Enclose the order confirmation, which you received by e-mail, as well as the tick to the envelope.

Zeckenentfernung Schritt 3
4

Send the envelope to the following address:

Biolytix AG
Zeckentest Schweiz
Benkenstrasse 254
4108 Witterswil

Zeckenentfernung Schritt 4

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

If several ticks are found on one person, they can be collected and sent as one analysis. We will then perform an pooled analysis. Attention: Group ticks by person, otherwise the result is not assignable.

You can expect the result within three working days.

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.

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

In a pressure seal bag and if possible cooled (refrigerator or freezer).

Yes, Lyme disease and TBE can be detected in the tick for up.

Contact your family doctor as soon as possible.

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.

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

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/zeckenuebertragene-krankheiten.html#-223198878 (in German)

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.

Borelliosis analysis: 76.50 CHF*
TBE analysis: 123.90 CHF*
Alongshan virus (ALSV): 123.90 CHF*

Borrelia + TBE (combination): 180 CHF*
Borrelia + ALSV (combination): 180 CHF*
TBE + ALSV (combination): 230 CHF*
Borrelia, TBE + ALSV (combi): 300 CHF*

(*incl. VAT)

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).

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.

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.

Questions?

We would be happy to advise you by Phone or email

Biolytix AG
Benkenstrasse 254
4108 Witterswil
Schweiz