Lyme disease antibody
Alternative names:
Lyme disease serology
How the test is performed:
Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative organism of Lyme disease, is grown in culture and fixed to a microscope slide. The slide is then incubated with a sample of serum (the portion of blood that contains antibodies) from you. A fluorescent-labeled antiglobulin is placed on the slide and viewed under ultraviolet light. If human antibody to Lyme disease is present, it will bind to the fluorescent antiglobulin and be visible under the ultraviolet light.
How to prepare for the test:
Adult:
There is no special preparation for the test.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How the test will feel:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed:
The test is performed to help confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
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