These issues highlight the need for diagnostic tools that can distinguish between Lyme and other bacteria, and can find evidence of Lyme disease soon after infection. Unfortunately, other bacterial infections may mistakenly be reported as a positive Lyme antibody test. This gap between being infected with the bacteria and the body's creation of antibodies can result in a false negative test for those with very early Lyme disease, resulting in a delay in treatment.Ĭonversely, it is possible to receive a false positive test when a person does not actually have Lyme disease. But it can take a few weeks before a person's immune system creates measurable levels of antibodies. Lyme antibody tests-the most common diagnostic tool available today-look for antibodies in the blood that show a person has been exposed to B. Current diagnostic tests have some limitations that make a clear, quick diagnosis difficult. Because treatment is generally more effective in early stages of the disease, it is important to develop new tools that can help doctors make an early diagnosis.ĭoctors need to know whether a patient has an active infection, or has been exposed to the Lyme bacteria earlier in their life. Also, current diagnostic tests do not always detect early Lyme disease since antibodies take time to rise to detectable levels. The most distinct symptom of Lyme disease-the circular red rash known as erythema migrans (EM)-does not appear in at least one quarter of people who are actually infected with Lyme bacteria. Many of the common symptoms associated with the disease, such as headaches, dizziness, and joint/body pain, also occur with other diseases. Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose for a number of reasons. Priorities include finding potential targets-substances that new diagnostic tools might measure in patient samples-and improving the sensitivity and specificity of currently available diagnostic tests, thereby leading to more accurate results. NIAID is committed to improving Lyme disease diagnostics by supporting innovative research projects. There is a great need to develop rapid, point-of-care tests to determine whether people are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
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