Aids in diagnosis of Lyme disease caused by infection with Borrelia species endemic to Europe and Asia, including B garinii and B afzelii.
This test is only intended for use in patients with recent travel to and exposure to ticks in Europe or regions of Asia who are suspected to have Lyme disease caused by Borrelia species endemic to Europe/Asia.
The first-tier screening assay detects antibodies to the VlsE protein. C6 is a conserved epitope in the VlsE protein. Therefore, this assay will detect antibodies to C6, in addition to other epitopes on VlsE and pepC10.
This test should be ordered for evaluation of possible Lyme disease in individuals who have recently traveled to Europe or Asia and who have been exposed to or bitten by a tick.
This panel includes a screening test capable of detecting antibodies to the most common Lyme disease causing Borrelia species found in Europe and Asia. Specimens with positive or equivocal results by the screening assay will be reflexed to a supplemental immunoblot able to detect antibodies to B afzelii or B garinii, both Lyme disease-causing Borrelia species endemic to Europe and regions of Asia.
The immunoblot does not distinguish between infection with B afzelli or B garinii.
Patients infected with B afzelii or B garinii may be serologically negative by diagnostic assays used in North America, which are designed to detect antibodies to the B burgdorferi B31 strain.
If this test is positive or equivocal, then immunoblot testing will be performed at an additional charge.
See Acute Tick-Borne Disease Testing Algorithm in Special Instructions.
