Lyme (Borrelia Burgdorferi) IgG and IgM Antibodies Test
Lyme (Borrelia Burgdorferi) IgG and IgM Antibodies Test
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, spread through the bite of a black-legged tick. Without treatment, the disease can progress and affect various tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system.
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging because its symptoms often resemble those of other illnesses and conditions. Moreover, not everyone with Lyme disease develops the characteristic bulls-eye skin rash, the most common early sign of the disease.
Therefore, if your doctor suspects your symptoms are related to Lyme disease, they may order a Lyme IgG and IgM immunochromatographic rapid test to detect the signs of Borrelia infection. However, it's important to note that this test cannot determine the patient’s response to the cure because Lyme borreliosis (LB) antibodies can remain in the blood for months or even years after the infection has been fully cleared.
What are Lyme IgG and IgM Antibodies Used For?
Lyme IgG and IgM Antibodies testing is used
To identify Lyme disease in people with possible tick exposure and flu-like symptoms
Symptoms of Lyme disease
Symptoms of Lyme vary depending on the location of the tick bite. Early symptoms, which occur 3 to 30 days after the tick bite, may include
Bulls - eye pattern rash (not necessarily painful or itchy)
Fever and headache
Extreme tiredness
Stiffness of joints
Muscle pain
Swollen lymph nodes
If untreated, symptoms of Lyme disease worsen and gradually affect other parts of the body 3 to 10 weeks after the tick bite. These symptoms typically include
Rashes throughout the body
Neck pain and stiffness
Shooting pain and numbness in the hands and feet
Irregular heartbeat
Change in the vision
Drooping on both sides of the face
Inflammation in the brain and spinal cord
Pain and swelling in the joints, particularly knees
Preparation for Test
Being a standard blood test, the Lyme disease IgG and IgM antibody test requires no additional preparation. But let your doctor know if you are taking any antibiotics.
Interpretation of Test Results
The results of Lyme IgG and IgM antibody tests are interpreted in conjunction with clinical symptoms, which include:
Positive results (Abnormal)
This result indicates the presence of antibodies (IgG and IgM) against Lyme disease bacteria, which implies that you have Lyme disease now or had the illness in the past. Your doctor may then suggest additional laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Negative results (Normal)
This report indicates the absence of antibodies to Lyme borreliosis. Retesting with a new sample is recommended after 7 to 14 days.
FAQs
What happens during the Lyme IgG and IgM antibody testing?
During the Lyme IgG and IgM antibodies test, your doctor will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle and put it into a test tube. The sample is then sent to a lab for future investigation.
Does the Lyme disease antibody test pose risks?
This test usually does not involve any risk as such, but you may experience pain, bruising, bleeding, and infection (very rarely) at the needle insertion site. Nevertheless, most of these symptoms resolve quickly without you needing any medication.
How long do the antibodies for Lyme disease last?
Once you have Lyme disease, your body will continue to make antibodies for the rest of your life despite successful antibiotic treatment. This means your Lyme blood test will stay positive even when bacteria is no longer in your body.
Are there limitations to Lyme disease antibody testing?
One of the major limitations of Lyme disease antibody testing is its potential for false positive results, particularly in patients with tickborne or autoimmune diseases. False-negative results can also occur if the test is conducted too early during the disease before antibodies have reached detectable levels. Furthermore, laboratory errors and variations in result interpretation between different labs and doctors are bound to occur with this testing method.
Can you have Lyme disease without any symptoms?
Usually, if you don't have Lyme disease symptoms, it means you don't have the disease. However, you might still have a positive blood test due to the following reasons:
- Past Lyme infection, where antibodies can remain positive for months to years even after the successful treatment.
- A small amount of persistent infection that does not cause symptoms.
- Concurrent autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus) or viral infections (HIV, Epstein Barr Virus, or syphilis) produce antibodies (cross-reactive antibodies) that are similar to the antibodies of Lyme disease.
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