Role of Serology in the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Article Abstract:
Many of the blood tests for Lyme disease are not very accurate in the early stages of the disease. This was the conclusion of researchers who reviewed published studies that evaluated these tests. All the tests detect antibodies in blood against Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme disease. The tests included enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunofluorescence antibody (IFA), and immunodot assays. The tests were much more accurate in the later stages of the disease. A second test using a Western blot assay may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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Borrelia burgdorferi-Specific Immune Complexes in Acute Lyme Disease
Article Abstract:
Tests that can detect immune complexes against Borrelia burgdorferi may be effective in diagnosing Lyme disease. This organism is responsible for causing Lyme disease. Researchers used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot assay to detect Borrelia burgdorferi immune complexes in blood samples from 168 patients with Lyme disease and 145 people who were healthy or had some other disease. Almost all of the patients with Lyme disease tested positive whereas all but 2 of the other group tested negative.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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- Abstracts: Quality of Lyme disease tests. Pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in children. Antibody testing in Lyme disease: a comparison of results in four laboratories
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