Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease - Serologic Assays

May 2008

Although Lyme serology is a reliable method to assist in the diagnosis, there are several important limitations that we should discuss. Regarding the screen enzyme immunoassay the sensitivity of the assay may vary with the disease stage. As we can see in this table, the sensitivity of the screening EIA in stage 1 of the disease may be as low as 70%-75%. In contrast when testing is performed during stages 2 and 3 of the disease, the sensitivity increases to nearly 100%.

An additional point to consider is that early administration of antibiotics may weaken or delay the antibody response and lower the sensitivity of the EIA to 60% or 70%.

< Previous Slide

Serologic Assays

Next Slide >

 

Jump to section:

• Introduction
• Patient Case
• Lyme Disease
• Lyme Disease - Diagnostic Approach
• Lyme Disease - Diagnostic Approach, cont.
• Lyme Disease - Diagnostic Approach, cont.
• Patient Case, cont.
• Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
• Lyme Disease - Serologic Assays
• Lyme Disease - Serologic Assays, cont.
• Lyme Disease - Serologic Assays, cont.
• Patient Case, cont.
• Lyme Disease - Serologic Assays, cont.
• Patient Case, cont.
• Lyme Disease - Conclusions
• Questions?