Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies, IgG and IgM by Immunoblot
Also known as: LYME WB
Use
This test is used to confirm the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies (specifically IgG and IgM) in the serum of patients suspected of having Lyme disease. It is typically used as a second-tier test following an equivocal or positive result from a first-tier Lyme disease screening test, such as an ELISA. The test is particularly useful when performed on patients who have symptoms that have been present for less than four weeks since the appearance of erythema migrans, the characteristic skin rash associated with Lyme disease.
Special Instructions
The test should only be ordered if there is a positive or equivocal first-tier screening test for Lyme disease. It is not recommended to perform this test if the initial ELISA test for Lyme disease is negative. Following serum separation from cells, the serum must be transferred to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube within two hours of collection.
Limitations
The immunoblot test should not be used as the sole method of diagnosing Lyme disease due to its potential for false negatives. A positive IgG result is only reported when any 5 or more of the specified bands are present. For IgM, at least 2 of the specified bands must be present for a positive result. The test's accuracy may be reduced in cases where the samples have been contaminated, severely hemolyzed, lipemic, or icteric. It is also unsuitable for testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or plasma.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Western Blot)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6320-6
- 6321-4
- 6320-6
- 6321-4
Result Turnaround Time
1-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.15 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Separate serum from cells as soon as possible or within 2 hours of collection. Then, transfer the serum to the ARUP Standard Transport Tube.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
CSF or plasma. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, severely hemolyzed, severely lipemic, and severely icteric specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year |
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