This test requires a blood draw, so please ensure you can refer to a phlebotomist in the clients area before you order this test.
This test is designed to detect spirochetes called Borrelia burgdorferi, which can trigger Lyme disease when transmitted to the human body by a tick bite.
Often there are no complications with the infection and it can be eliminated or controlled by a strong immune defense mechanism. If the immune defense is not strong enough, the infection can cause chronic symptoms (e.g. in the joints). There is no vaccination against Lyme Borreliosis yet. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the illness early.
It is also possible that a tick bite transmits other pathogens along with Borrelia burgdorferi (e.g. Rickettsia, Babesia and Ehrlichia). The most important pathogens of Lyme Borreliosis are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii, which are closely related to the Syphilis pathogen Treponema pallidum.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests:
PCR is the only practical means of directly detecting the presence of the infectious Borrelia bacteria, while other tests, such ELISA and Western blot tests, merely test for antibodies to the Borrelia organism. As such, a positive result to ELISA and Western blot tests may indicate either current or previous infection and is not necessarily proof of active infection causing Lyme disease.
PCR tests rely on detecting the genetic material (DNA) of the suspected infectious spirochaete or bacteria.
Indication:
- to diagnose chronic Lyme disease
- to diagnose acute Lyme disease
- to determine the duration of therapy
- to monitor treatment results after a Lyme therapy