Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test
Short Name: Lyme IgG & IgM
Also known as: Lyme Serology Test, Borrelia Antibody Test, Lyme Antibody Panel, Tick-Borne Disease Antibody Test, Borrelia burgdorferi IgG IgM Serology
Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test test available at DNA Labs India for ₹4,500. Uses Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA/ELISA), Western Blot (Confirmatory) on Serum samples. Results in Sample submitted by Friday 6:00 PM; report available next business day. Digital reports are delivered via Online Portal, Email, and WhatsApp.. Free home collection in 300+ cities across India.
🩺 Medically Reviewed By
Dr Kothari Ramesh Shantilal
Consultant Microbiologist · Reg: 27670
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026
Overview
The Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test is ordered to detect antibodies against the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium in the blood. This test aids in the diagnosis of Lyme disease by identifying both recent (IgM) and past or ongoing (IgG) immune responses. It is an essential component of the two-tier serological testing protocol recommended for Lyme disease diagnosis and helps clinicians initiate timely antibiotic treatment to prevent disease progression.
- Test Code
- 1202
- CPT Code
- 86618
- ICD Code
- A69.20
- Price
- ₹4,500
- Sample Type
- Serum
- Result Time
- Sample submitted by Friday 6:00 PM; report available next business day. Digital reports are delivered via Online Portal, Email, and WhatsApp.
- Fasting Required
- No
- Method
- Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA/ELISA), Western Blot (Confirmatory)
Sample Collection
No special preparation or fasting is required. Inform your physician about any medications, supplements, or recent illnesses. Carry a valid doctor's prescription and identification document.
Method: Venipuncture
Laboratory Analysis
A trained phlebotomist will clean the puncture site on your arm with an antiseptic. A tourniquet is applied to make the vein prominent, and a sterile needle is used to draw approximately 2 mL of blood into an SST (Serum Separator Tube). The procedure typically takes 3 to 5 minutes.
Report Delivery
After blood collection, gentle pressure is applied to the puncture site with cotton or a bandage. You may resume normal activities immediately. Mild soreness or bruising at the puncture site may occur and typically resolves within 1 to 2 days.
Timeline: Sample submitted by Friday 6:00 PM; report available next business day. Digital reports are delivered via Online Portal, Email, and WhatsApp.
Patient Instructions
About This Test
Who Should Get This Test
The Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test is ordered to detect antibodies against the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium in the blood. This test aids in the diagnosis of Lyme disease by identifying both recent (IgM) and past or ongoing (IgG) immune responses. It is an essential component of the two-tier serological testing protocol recommended for Lyme disease diagnosis and helps clinicians initiate timely antibiotic treatment to prevent disease progression.
How to Prepare
- No fasting is required prior to sample collection
- Stay well-hydrated before blood draw for easier venous access
- Wear loose-fitting sleeves to facilitate arm exposure during collection
- Inform the phlebotomist of any history of fainting during blood draws
- Avoid vigorous physical activity with the punctured arm for a few hours after collection
Doctor's Notes
Reviewed by Dr Kothari Ramesh Shantilal — MBBS, MD (Microbiology) · Reg. No. 27670
"Lyme disease remains underdiagnosed in India due to limited awareness and overlapping symptoms with other febrile illnesses. If a patient presents with a characteristic erythema migrans rash, history of tick bite, or unexplained joint and neurological symptoms—especially after travel to endemic regions like North America, Europe, or parts of Asia—a Lyme Disease IgG & IgM antibody test should be ordered promptly. Early detection through serological testing allows timely initiation of antibiotic therapy and significantly reduces the risk of progression to late-stage Lyme disease, which can cause chronic arthritis, carditis, and neurological complications. I recommend a two-tier testing approach: an initial screening by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA/ELISA) followed by confirmatory Western blot testing for equivocal or positive results. Patients should note that IgM antibodies typically appear within 2–4 weeks of infection, while IgG antibodies develop later. A negative result in early suspected Lyme disease does not rule out infection, and repeat testing after 2–4 weeks may be warranted."
Last medically reviewed: September 7, 2026
Test Parameters & Specifications
Sample Stability
- Hemolyzed, lipemic, or icteric serum samples
- Specimens collected in incorrect tube type (non-SST)
- Insufficient sample volume (less than 1 mL serum)
- Specimens stored beyond the acceptable stability window
- Unlabeled or mislabeled samples
- Specimens shipped at improper temperatures
Understanding Your Results
IgM Negative, IgG Negative
No detectable antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. This may suggest no infection, or it may indicate testing was performed too early (before the window period). If clinical suspicion remains high, repeat testing in 2-4 weeks is recommended.
IgM Positive, IgG Negative
Possible early Lyme disease. IgM antibodies typically appear 2-4 weeks after infection. However, isolated IgM positivity in patients with prolonged symptoms may indicate a false-positive result. Confirmatory Western blot testing is recommended.
IgM Positive, IgG Positive
Suggestive of active or recent Lyme disease. Both antibody types are elevated, indicating an ongoing or recent immune response. Confirmatory Western blot testing and clinical correlation are strongly recommended.
IgM Negative, IgG Positive
May indicate past infection, late-stage Lyme disease, or previously treated Lyme disease. IgG antibodies can persist for years after resolution of infection. Clinical correlation and confirmatory testing help differentiate these scenarios.
Consult an infectious disease specialist or your physician if you experience any of the following after a potential tick exposure: an expanding bullseye-shaped rash (erythema migrans), unexplained fever with headache and fatigue, joint pain and swelling especially in the knees, facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy), heart palpitations or chest pain, or neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or severe headaches. Early medical consultation is critical as untreated Lyme disease can progress to serious cardiac, neurological, and musculoskeletal complications.
Limitations
- ⚠Cannot reliably distinguish between active and resolved past infection based on antibody levels alone
- ⚠Early-stage Lyme disease may produce a false-negative result if tested before antibodies develop
- ⚠False-positive results may occur due to cross-reactivity with other infections or autoimmune conditions
- ⚠Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with clinical symptoms and exposure history
- ⚠IgM antibodies alone in a patient with long-standing symptoms may represent a false-positive result
- ⚠This screening test may require confirmatory Western blot testing for definitive diagnosis
Risks & Considerations
- ●Minor bruising or hematoma at the blood draw site
- ●Mild pain or discomfort during venipuncture
- ●Rare risk of infection at the puncture site
- ●Lightheadedness or dizziness during or after blood collection
- ●Extremely rare risk of excessive bleeding in individuals with bleeding disorders
Interfering Factors
- ●Cross-reactive antibodies from other spirochetal infections such as syphilis, leptospirosis, or relapsing fever
- ●Cross-reactivity with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or other autoimmune conditions
- ●Antibiotic treatment initiated before adequate antibody response has developed
- ●Very early testing within the first 1-2 weeks of infection before antibodies are detectable
- ●Immunosuppressive conditions or medications that may impair antibody production
- ●Previous Lyme disease vaccination (where applicable) may affect serological interpretation
Compare With Similar Tests
| Test | Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test | Lyme Disease ELISA (EIA) Screening | Western Blot for Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease PCR Test | Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) / C-Reactive Protein (CRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison | Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test | Initial screening test that detects antibodies. High sensitivity but lower specificity. Used as the first step in two-tier testing. | Confirmatory test performed after a positive or equivocal ELISA. Detects antibodies to specific Borrelia proteins. Higher specificity than ELISA alone. | Detects Borrelia burgdorferi DNA directly. Useful in early disease or when serology is inconclusive. Not routinely recommended as a standalone diagnostic test. | A general blood test that may show non-specific findings such as elevated white blood cells. Not diagnostic for Lyme disease but helpful in overall clinical assessment. | Inflammatory markers that may be elevated in Lyme disease. Non-specific but useful for monitoring disease activity and treatment response. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) Antibodies IgG & IgM Test?
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