Sample Results & Analysis

Lyme Sample Report - Negative

This is an example of a negative test result. Note the Antibody Capture EIA results are all less than 1 for IgM, IgG, and IgA. The two Lyme Immunoblots (WB) on the right side of the report show 2 and 3 faint bands, a very nonspecific finding, and clearly far below the guidelines for a positive WB. A few faint nonspecific bands commonly represent cross reactivity from remote infection to other agents, either viral or bacterial.

Lyme Sample Report - Early infection

This is a positive test result. Note the Antibody Capture EIA results are positive for IgM and IgA antibodies, the earliest detectable isotypes in the course of a B. burgdorferi infection. Later, there will be the evolution of an IgG response by both EIA and WB. At this early stage of infection, the two Lyme Immunoblots (WB) on the right side of the report show negative results; the 3 faint bands on each of these WB's are nonspecific findings, and clearly far below the guidelines for a positive WB. A few faint nonspecific bands commonly represent cross reactivity from remote infection to other agents, either viral or bacterial.

Lyme Sample Report - Past treated

This is a positive test result. Note the Antibody Capture EIA results are all less than 1 for IgM, IgG, and IgA. EIA typically detects antibodies occurring early in the course of infection. EIA seroreactivity may eventually fade to undetectable, as in this case; or especially, if infection is advanced or treatment is delayed, the IgG and even the IgM EIA reactivity may persist. The two Immunoblots (WB) on the right side of the report show 7 and 8 bands, respectively. The demonstrated bands in this case are very characteristic of remote past exposure to Lyme.

Lyme Sample Report - Late stage

This is an example of a markedly positive test result. Note the Antibody Capture EIA results are positive for IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies. The two Immunoblots (WB) on the right side of the report show a large number of bands, far exceeding the minimum criteria for a positive WB, and reflecting a very evolved late immune response to B. burgdorferi. Virtually all patients with Lyme arthritis have serologic findings similar to this particular case. This test result will remain positive for years, even after successful treatment.

Lyme Sample Report - Lyme meningitis

Note the two columns of Antibody Capture EIA results where serum and CSF specimens are simultaneously tested. Note the magnitude of the IgM, IgG, and IgA levels, higher in the CSF than the serum, indicative of the intrathecal antibody production seen in neuroborreliosis. The two IgG Immunoblots (WB) on the right side of the report (performed on serum) show 11 and 12 bands respectively, a positive result that is typical of Lyme meningitis.

Post Treatment Immune Response to B. burgdorferi

IgM, IgG and IgA antibody isotope response in 7 serial serum specimens from one patient with multiple erythema migrans. Antibiotic therapy was initiated 7 days following clinical onset (day 0). Antibody response values of less than 1 are negative.

Antibody Capture EIA Antibody Response to B. burgdorferi

Geometric mean IgM, IgA, IgG and IgE serial antibody responses determined by Antibody Capture EIA to B. burgdorferi in 60 sera from 10 patients with Lyme disease. All patients had erythema migrans (7 days), and subsequently developed meningitis (1 month) and one or more episodes of synovitis (7-16 months). All patients had 6 serial samples collected. The indicated time of each sample point represents the mean time of 10 patient samples in days or months from the onset of erythema migrans. Antibody response of greater than or equal to 1.0 are considered positive.

Archived sera collected from Connecticut patients during the late 1970's, prior to the use of antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme disease.