Introduction of IgM testing for the diagnosis of acute Lyme borreliosis: a study of the benefits, limitations and costs.

Abstract

Testing for IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in Scottish patients with suspected Lyme borreliosis was introduced in 2018 to supplement the IgG testing already in situ. Results from 2018 to 2020 were assessed alongside available clinical data to evaluate the utility of IgM testing in serum. An estimated false positive rate of 25.5% was observed with IgM immunoblot vs 80.1% for IgM chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). IgM testing can aid earlier diagnoses if used within a selective two-tier testing protocol: only patients with acute onset of symptoms should be tested for IgM CLIA but confirmation by immunoblot and consideration of clinical picture is necessary.

• Authors: Greg Joyner, Sally Mavin, Rachel Milner, Chin Lim
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 41 Issue 4 Pg. 671-675 (Apr 2022) ISSN: 1435-4373 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 35089441 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Borrelia burgdorferi
• Borrelia burgdorferi Group
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• Lyme Disease (microbiology)