ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies, IgG & IgM by Western Blot : 0050254

Mnemonic: LYME WB

Ordering Recommendation: Do not order in the absence of a positive/equivocal ELISA screening test. IgM Western blot is not useful after the first 4 weeks of clinical symptoms.
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: IgG: For this assay, a positive result is reported when any 5 or more of the following 10 bands are present: 18, 23, 28, 30, 39, 41, 45, 58, 66, or 93 kDa. All other banding patterns are reported as negative.

IgM: 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: Per CDC guidelines, if ELISA test result is NEGATIVE, Western blot should not be performed.

This test should be used for confirmation of an equivocal or positive Borrelia burgdorferi total antibodies, IgG and/or IgM test performed on patients less than four weeks after appearance of erythema migrans.
CPT Code(s): 86617 x2
Cross References: Lyme Antibodies (Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies, IgG & IgM by Western Blot) , Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies, IgG & IgM by Western Blot) , Lyme Disease Antibodies (Serum), WB (Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies, IgG & IgM by Western Blot)