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Lyme Disease Antibody Total (EIA)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | Non-serum samples, call Immunology at x3-1712 for approval |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Utilization Guidelines | Laboratory diagnosis of suspected Lyme disease is best performed through serology testing. PCR very rarely detects organisms, even in clinical Lyme disease, and is typically not indicated. Positive bloodstream antibodies do not necessarily indicate active Lyme disease, but do indicate previous exposure. Positive antibody testing is automatically confirmed with Western Blot. Most patients with CNS Lyme disease have high levels of bloodstream antibodies; therefore testing of CSF for Lyme antibodies is typically only indicated for patients with positive serology. PCR for Lyme organisms in CSF has very low sensitivity for CNS disease. |
| Test code | LYMET |
| Test group | Borrelia burgdorferi |
| Performed by | Immunology |
| In House Availability | Wednesday (day shift) |
| Method | EIA |
| Container type | Gold top |
| Amount to Collect | 3 mL blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Preferred volume | 1.5 mL serum |
| Min. Volume | 0.5 mL serum |
| Processing notes | Freeze serum at -20C |
| Units | Index |
| Normal range | Negative |
| Synonyms | Borreliosis; Borrelia burgdorferi Ab; Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody |
| Turn around times | Test run once per week Turnaround time: 2-8 days. |
| Reflex? | Western Blot confirmation is automatically performed on all EIA positive tests. |
| Additional information | A negative result on this test should be followed up in two to four weeks if lyme disease is still suspected. A negative result does not rule out infection with Borrelia Burgdorferi. Due to recommendations by the FDA, all positive or equivocal Borrelia Burgdorferi antibody EIA (screening) tests will be followed by the relevant western blot. The screening test for B. Burgdorferi has a low negative predictive value result when used to detect early infection and a low positive predictive value when exposure history, symptoms, and clinical findings are not consistent with lyme disease. Positive or equivocal results should not be interpreted as true positives until a second-step testing of the specimen is done using method that is more specific for antibodies to B. Burgdoreri (e.g. western blot). The patient will be billed an additional charge if the Lyme Disease by Western Blot is performed. |
| LOINC code | 20449-5 |
| Last Updated | 11/30/2012 3:17:15 PM |
| Entry Number | 137 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667