Lyme Disease Antibody IgG and IgM

Lyme Antibodies IgG and IgM

Alternate Test Name

Lyme Disease Serology; Lyme Disease Antibody

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB788
LYME

Category

Sendouts

Methodology

Multiplex Flow Assay

Test Performance Schedule

Monday - Friday

Result Availability

2 – 5 days

Container

Gold top (SST) tube

Volume

Pref. Vol.: 5.0 mL
Min. Vol.: 1.0 mL

Collection Instructions

• Routine venipuncture
• Immediately after collection, gently invert tube 5-10 times
• Clot 30 minutes
• Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
• Refrigerate

Transportation Instructions

Refrigerated

Stability

• Room Temperature: 8 hours
• Refrigerated: 6 days
• Frozen: Aliquot serum for longer storage

Causes for Rejection

Specimen not centrifuged within 2 hours of collection

Remarks

Positive results will reflex to the following tests:
• Lyme Disease Antibody, Immunoblot

CPT Codes

86618

Effective/Revised

12/10/2019

Lyme Disease is caused by infection with the spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferiand is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick of the Ixodid species. It is a systemic disease with variable manifestations, including dermatologic, rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac abnormalities. The varying clinical manifestations, coupled with the difficulty in confirming the diagnosis in many patients, have led to some misconceptions about Lyme Disease. In most cases, Lyme Disease is easily treated and does not progress to the chronic stage.

Culture ofB. burgdorferiis not practical in the microbiology laboratory because of its special growth requirements and very slow growth. Serologic testing can be useful. However, many patients with early disease are seronegative by immunoassay (up to 40%) at the time they present with Erythema migrans. Serologic diagnosis is often not established until later stages of the disease. Testing for Lyme Disease should follow a two-test protocol: The first step employs a sensitive polyvalent screening test enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In early suspected disease, tests for both IgM and IgG antibodies are recommended. All specimens found to be positive or equivocal by the EIA screening test(s) should be tested by the Western Blot procedure. If the Western Blot is negative, causes of false positive immunoassays should be considered. These include syphilis, subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE), peridontitis, HIV infection, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Diagnosis of Lyme Disease, however, can only be guided and not fully established by laboratory results. No objective tests for Lyme borreliosis are both 100% sensitive and specific. The diagnosis depends upon clinical features combined with laboratory testing.