ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody, IgM by Western Blot : 0050253

Mnemonic: LYME M WB

Methodology: Western Blot
Performed: Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 4 mL serum separator tube.

Storage/Transport Temperature:  1 mL serum at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.1 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Remarks:  Separate serum from cells ASAP.

Unacceptable Conditions:  CSF or plasma.  Severely lipemic, heat-inactivated, contaminated, or hemolyzed specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing):  After separation from cells: Ambient: 2 days; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Reference Interval:
Negative

IgM Positive: Any 2 of the following 3 bands: 23, 39, or 41 kDa.
IgM Negative: Any pattern that does not meet the IgM positive criteria.
Interpretive Data: Currently 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, IgM Western Blot
 
 

 

 

 
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