In simple words: This test checks your blood for Lyme disease after an initial test suggested you might have it. It helps doctors confirm the diagnosis and figure out how advanced the infection might be.

This code represents a qualitative or semiquantitative immunoassay to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This test is typically performed as a confirmatory test following a positive or equivocal initial Lyme disease screening test.It involves multi-step methods, such as Western blot or immunoblot, which detect antibodies (IgG and/or IgM) to specific Borrelia burgdorferi proteins.This test helps distinguish between active and past infection and assess the stage of Lyme disease.

Example 1: A patient with a positive ELISA test for Lyme disease undergoes Western blot testing to confirm the diagnosis., A patient with symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease but a negative ELISA result may still receive a Western blot, particularly if clinical suspicion is high., A patient previously treated for Lyme disease with lingering symptoms may get a Western blot to assess for persistent infection or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.

Documentation should include the reason for testing (e.g., positive ELISA, symptoms), the date of the initial test (if applicable), and the immunoglobulin classes tested (IgG, IgM, or both).

** Specimen requirements typically include serum or blood. The Western blot is considered more specific than ELISA but can still have false positives and negatives.Clinical correlation is essential for accurate interpretation.