Most seroconversions will be detected in repeat Western blots within 3 months. These individuals should be further evaluated by HIV RNA PCR testing and follow-up HIV serologic testing. Individuals with a positive Western blot lacking the p31 band should be counseled that, although they may be infected, uncertainty exists about this conclusion. The complete medical history must be considered in interpreting indeterminate Western blots. Indeterminate patterns may be either false positives or early seroconverters. The majority of indeterminate patterns consist of p17, p24, or p55 alone, or combinations of these 3 bands. Presence of any 2 bands p24, gp41, gp120/160 The criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Laboratory Directors for interpretation of Western blots are as follows: In some cases, reactions with gp120 and gp160 may be due to antibodies binding to multimers of gp41. Anti-p31 also diminishes, but not to the same extent as anti-p24. Antibodies to p24 and p55 decline after the onset of symptoms, while antibodies to envelope glycoproteins persist. The earliest antibodies to appear are directed against gp160, gp120, p24, and p17, followed shortly by antibodies to gp41, p55, p66, and p51. Sometimes an antibody test for Lyme disease finds antibodies to other bacteria.A consistent sequence of antibody responses occurs after infection. If Lyme disease bacteria DNA is found, you probably have an active Lyme disease infection.Once you have a Lyme disease infection, antibodies to the bacteria will usually stay in your body for the rest of your life. If antibodies are found, you may either have Lyme disease now or had the illness in the past.This is more likely with the antibody tests than with PCR.Īn abnormal, or positive, test for Lyme disease can mean one of the following:
You have Lyme disease but it does not show up on the test ( false-negative).A negative PCR test usually means that you do not have a Lyme disease infection. A positive PCR test means the test detected Lyme disease bacteria DNA.Ī normal, or negative, test for Lyme disease can mean one of the following:.A negative PCR test means the test didn't detect Lyme disease bacteria DNA.The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test may be done to confirm a Lyme infection if you have a positive antibody test result. An abnormal (positive) test means that Lyme disease antibodies are found.A normal (negative) test means that no Lyme disease antibodies are found.Test results are usually available in 1 to 2 weeks.Īn antibody test checks to see if you've had an infection from a bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The PCR test is a blood or urine test, but can also be done on fluid from the spine or from a joint. PCR testing may be used to identify a current (active) infection if you have symptoms of Lyme disease that have not gotten better with antibiotic treatment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detects the genetic material ( DNA) of the Lyme disease bacteria. The Western blot test should be done for all people who've had a positive (or borderline positive) ELISA test. It is most often done to detect a chronic Lyme disease infection.Īntibody testing should be done in a two-step process, using the ELISA followed by the Western blot test. This test also identifies Lyme disease antibodies and can confirm the results of an ELISA test. This is a rapid test to identify Lyme disease antibodies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).There are two types of antibody tests to detect Lyme disease. Finding antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria does not tell whether you were infected recently or sometime in the past. Once formed, antibodies usually stay in your system for many years, even after successful treatment of the disease. It may take up to 2 months after becoming infected before antibodies can be detected in a blood test. Antibody testsĪntibody tests are the most commonly used tests to help identify Lyme disease. Other tests may be done in certain situations. Antibody tests can sometimes be used to help identify Lyme disease. If you and your doctor think you have Lyme disease, your doctor will do a careful medical history and physical exam. Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses. Lyme disease bacteria are spread by certain kinds of ticks. A Lyme disease test detects antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria in the blood.
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