Ectoparasites

Testing site      

Alaska State Public Health Laboratory – Anchorage

Anchorage Lab Request Form

Diseases 

Ectoparasites

Arthropods

Lice

Crabs

Mites

Bedbugs

Organisms 

• Cimex lectularius
• Pediculus capitis
• Pediculus humanus
• Phthirus pubis
• Pulex irritans 

Test Method

Morphological identification

Availability

Routine testing

Specimen types 

Suspect arthropod(s) in dry container with lid.

Specimen collection instructions 

Comb for nits or use forceps to pluck hair; place into clean, dry tube with secure lid.

Storage and transport  

1. Store and ship at ambient temperature (20-25°C)
2. Ship as a UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B. 

Results  

No Ectoparasites observed

Cimex lectularius (bed bug)

Pediculus capitis (head louse)

Pediculus humanus (body louse)

Phthirus pubis (crab louse)

Pulex irritans (human flea)

A normal result is no ectoparasites observed. 

Turnaround time  

1-7 days

Testing unit

Clinical Microbiology

Notes

Specimens that cannot be identified will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for morphological identification.

Resources