Trinity Health Of New England Saint Mary’s Hospital Launches In-House PCR Tick Testing

April 1, 2026

Waterbury, Conn. (April 1, 2026) As spring settles in across New England, tick activity is ramping up statewide. Recent surveillance by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) 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.

(left to right) Lisa Vaccarelli, BS, SM(ASCP)MT, SM(AAM), Microbiology Team Lead, Jessica Dodge, MD, Pathologist and Medical Director, Margaret Jenkins, BS MT H(ASCP)cm, Laboratory Manager

In response to this heightened seasonal risk, Saint Mary’s Hospital Laboratory has launched in‑house, rapid PCR testing for two major tick‑borne infections.

Saint Mary’s Laboratory is now performing molecular testing for:

Anaplasma phagocytophilum – a bacterium spread by blacklegged ticks
Babesia species – protozoan parasites spread by blacklegged ticks or by transfusion of contaminated blood

Testing is performed through a blood test on the DiaSorin Liaison MDX. It is a real‑time PCR thermocycler that delivers rapid, accurate results within 24 hours, which is significantly faster than traditional send‑out testing. “Having this testing in‑house will allow prompt diagnosis of anaplasmosis and babesiosis,” said Jessica Dodge, MD, Pathologist and Medical Director of the Saint Mary’s Hospital Microbiology Laboratory. “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.”

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.

Ticks can be hard to spot. The Uncas Health District recommends using a mirror during tick checks and thoroughly examining the body after spending time outdoors, especially in hard to see places:

Under the arms
Behind the knees
In and around the ears
Along the hairline and scalp
Inside the belly button
Around the waist
Between the legs and in the groin area

For more information on tick prevention, safety, and awareness, visit: Ticks 101 | Trinity Health Of New England