MyMedLab

If Lyme Disease Antibody Screen is ≥0.90, then Lyme Disease Antibodies (IgG, IgM), Immunoblot will be performed.

As recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all samples with positive or equivocal results in a Borrelia burgdorferi antibody screen will be tested using a blot method.

The screening test and/or blot for B. burgdorferi antibodies may be falsely negative in early stages of Lyme disease, including the period when erythema migrans is apparent.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by ticks. A screening test with high sensitivity is used as the first step in the CDC recommended algorithm. Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines, with high specificity, antibodies in a patient's specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected screening result.