ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody, IgM by Western Blot : 0050253

Mnemonic: LYME M WB

Ordering Recommendation: Do not order in the absence of a positive/equivocal ELISA screening test. Useful only when ordered during first 4 weeks of clinical symptoms and concurrently with IgG Western blot test.
Methodology: Qualitative Western Blot
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-2 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation: Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions: CSF or plasma. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Reference Interval:
Effective August 15, 2011

Negative
Interpretive Data: For this assay, a positive result is reported when any 2 or more of the following bands are present: 23, 39, or 41 kDa. All other banding patterns are reported as negative.
Note: Current CDC recommendations for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease are to screen with a polyvalent EIA test and confirm equivocal and positive with Western Blot.  Both IgM and IgG Western blots should be performed on specimens less than four weeks after appearance of erythema migrans.  Only IgG Western blot should be performed on specimens greater than four weeks after disease onset. IgM Western blot in the chronic stage is not recommended and does not aid in the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis or chronic Lyme disease. Please submit requests for appropriate Western blot testing within 10 days.
CPT Code(s): 86617
Cross References: Lyme Ab (Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody, IgM by Western Blot) , Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody, IgM by Western Blot)