The Western Blot Borrelia serological test is used for the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease.
More information
Borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for Lyme disease (borreliosis). Borreliae are thin, flexible, helically coiled, and highly motile spirochetes. In Europe, Borreliae are transmitted mostly by the Ixodes Ricinus tick, and in America from the Ixodes damini tick. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 30 days. If left untreated, the disease progresses through three stages, although the course of each individual patient often departs from this classic pattern.
Stage I: After 4-8 weeks after the bite of the infected tick, the typical migratory erythema develops on the skin.
Stage II: Generalized abnormal symptoms appear after 3 weeks. Flu symptoms occur and a large proportion of patients may develop lymphocytic meningitis and rhizopathy (Bannwarth syndrome), staffing and aseptic meningitis as well as arthritis and carditis episodes.
Stage III: Neurological disorders (chronic encephalomyelitis), chronic atrophic acrodermatitis (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans), Lyme disease arthritis.
Lyme disease occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. There are some endemic outbreaks where the disease is more common, such as in central Europe, where approximately 3-7% of larvae and 10-34% of larvae and adult ticks are infected by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Various wild animals such as rodents, and larger animals such as deer, constitute the natural reservoir of Borrelia, although these species are rarely infected by the disease. The ticks feed by sucking the infected blood from these animals.
Western Blot
Western Blot Screening for Lyme Disease can detect two different classes of antibodies: IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies appear earlier, so this screening may be useful in identifying patients during the first few weeks of infection. The disadvantage of testing for IgM antibodies is that they can often give false-positive results. Testing for IgG antibodies is more reliable, but it may take 4-6 weeks for the body to produce them in sufficiently large quantities to be detectable by this test.
- Western Blot testing should not be performed without first determining total antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi
- Western Blot testing should not be performed if total antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi are negative
- Positive IgM Western Blot test only makes sense during the first four weeks of illness
- If the disease is present for more than 4-6 weeks and the IgG Western Blot test is negative, it is unlikely to have Lyme disease, even if the IgM Western Blot test is positive.
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most important parameter for the diagnosis and monitoring of all pathological conditions. 70%-80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. Correct interpretation of laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased".
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted from the numerical result of a single analysis. Test results should be interpreted in relation to each individual case and family history, clinical findings and the results of other laboratory tests and information. Your personal physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and we contact your doctor to get the best possible medical care.
