The use of IgM antibodies in the diagnosis of Lyme disease should be restricted to the first four weeks of infection, since they may persist for prolonged periods of time after treatment. See Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) Antibodies, IgG, Serum Current CDC recommendations for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease are to screen with a polyvalent EIA test and confirm equivocal and positive with immunoblot. Both IgM and IgG immunoblots should be performed on specimens less than 4 weeks after appearance of erythema migrans. Only IgG immunoblot should be performed on specimens greater than 4 weeks after disease onset. IgM immunoblot 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 immunoblot testing within 10 days.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.
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