Saint Mary's Hospital Laboratory in Waterbury has launched rapid in-house PCR testing for two tick-borne infections, a move designed to speed diagnosis and improve care for patients during the state's growing tick season.

The new testing capability comes as tick activity rises across the region. Surveillance conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station collected more than 10,000 ticks in 2025, confirming that blacklegged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks, remain widespread and continue to carry disease-causing organisms, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti.

Saint Mary's Laboratory is now performing molecular testing for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacterium spread by blacklegged ticks, and Babesia species, protozoan parasites spread by blacklegged ticks or through transfusion of contaminated blood. Testing is performed via blood draw on the DiaSorin Liaison MDX, a real-time PCR thermocycler that delivers results within 24 hours - significantly faster than traditional send-out testing.

Jessica Dodge, MD, Pathologist and Medical Director of the Saint Mary's Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, said, "Having this testing in house will allow prompt diagnosis of anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Instead of waiting days for results from an out of state reference laboratory, most results will be ready within 24 hours. This is particularly important for patients with babesiosis, because the treatment differs from Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis."

Connecticut residents spending time outdoors are reminded to conduct thorough tick checks after outdoor activity, including hard-to-see areas such as under the arms, behind the knees, along the hairline and scalp, inside the belly button, around the waist, and between the legs and in the groin area. The Uncas Health District recommends using a mirror during tick checks.

As Connecticut continues to report elevated levels of tick-borne pathogens, rapid diagnostic tools like PCR testing play a critical role in early detection, appropriate treatment, and improved patient outcomes.