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This test also identifies Lyme disease antibodies and can confirm the results of an ELISA test. This common and rapid test to identify Lyme disease antibodies is the most sensitive screening test for Lyme disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).There are two types of antibody tests to detect Lyme disease. Finding antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria does not tell whether you were infected recently or sometime in the past. Once formed, antibodies usually stay in your system for many years, even after successful treatment of the disease. It may take up to 2 months after becoming infected before antibodies can be detected in a blood test. Antibody testing may also be done on fluid from the spine or from a joint. Antibody testsĪntibody tests are the most commonly used tests to help identify Lyme disease.

Other tests may be done in certain situations. Antibody tests can sometimes be used to help identify Lyme disease. If you and your doctor think you have Lyme disease, your doctor will do a careful medical history and physical examination. Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses. Lyme disease bacteria are spread by certain kinds of ticks. People who test negative on other indirect tests may test positive on this test.A Lyme disease test detects antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood.

Antigen tests: Antigen detection tests look for a unique Lyme protein in body fluids (e.g.

This is because Lyme bacteria are sparse and may not be in the sample tested.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): While PCR is highly accurate when the Lyme DNA is detected, this test does produce many false negatives.

Review our Patient’s Checklist Other tests There are two other tests used to diagnose Lyme disease: PCR and Antigen When talking to your doctor, request the Western blot test specifically. ELISA tests are not sensitive enough for screening, and miss the infection often. “Western blot” is the most accurate antibody test. This human strain may be significant as to why more Canadians are getting well after a positive Igenex test, followed then by aggressive treatment. in California Igenex uses more than one strain of the bacteria as the basis of their test, and, they are the only laboratory we are aware of that uses a human derived strain as opposed to a tick derived strain. Antibody tests measure the body’s response to a specific bacterial infection. The human immune system responds to bacteria by creating antibodies to fight against infection. Once Borrelia burgdorferi is not active anymore, the T-cellular immune response should vanish.” Antibody tests Lymphocyte transformation (Elispot)Īrmin Labs “Borrelia infections do not only show humoral immune responses by antibodies, but can activate T-lymphocytes at the same time. Others doctors require laboratory confirmation before treatment.

Some doctors base their diagnosis on the presence of the classic “bull’s-eye” rash, and don’t require further tests. Lyme victims are commonly misdiagnosed with other illnesses, and, when a proper diagnosis is made, it’s often difficult to verify because accurate testing isn’t available.

Diagnosing Lyme disease is extremely challenging.