Detection of tick-borne pathogens by real time PCR. Includes Rickettsiales species (Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum); Borrelia species (B. burgdoreferi, B. hermsii, B. parkeri, B. turicatae); and Babesia species (B. gibsoni, B. canis, B. caballi).