Borrelia IgM and IgG antibody detection from DBS by ELISA (EUROIMMUN). Lyme disease clinical diagnosis.
IgM + IgG antibodies
3–5 working days
This method detects IgM and IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species from a dried blood spot, supporting the clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease.
Clinical indications include:
IgM and IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii using the EUROIMMUN ELISA platform.
Borrelia testing (Lyme disease) detects IgM and IgG antibodies. The timing and combination of antibody responses guide clinical interpretation:
| IgM | IgG | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | Negative | No current or recent infection detected (very early infection cannot be ruled out) |
| Positive | Negative | Possible early or recent infection — clinical correlation and retesting in 2–4 weeks recommended |
| Positive | Positive | Confirms active or recent infection |
| Negative | Positive | Past infection or late-stage disease |
IgM antibodies may appear 2–4 weeks after infection (early marker). IgG antibodies develop 4–6 weeks after infection and may persist for years.
Serology has limitations in early Lyme disease — antibodies may not be detectable in the first 2–4 weeks. Clinical presentation (EM rash, tick exposure history) should guide treatment decisions in early disease.
Lyme disease testing is recommended for individuals with suspected exposure or compatible symptoms:
If you have had a tick bite or symptoms consistent with Lyme disease, early testing and treatment provide the best outcomes. Consult your healthcare provider for clinical assessment alongside test results.
Antibodies are detected using the EUROIMMUN enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platform, adapted for the DBS matrix. The assay uses recombinant antigens from the three main pathogenic Borrelia species prevalent in Europe and North America.
From enquiry to results in a few simple steps — no clinic visit required.
This test is available to healthcare professionals, wellness brands, clinics, and research institutions worldwide. We currently serve partners in:
Whether you need testing services for your patients, white-label kits for your brand, or method transfer to your own laboratory — get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
This test detects IgM and IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi from a finger-prick dried blood spot using the EUROIMMUN ELISA platform. IgM antibodies typically appear 2 to 4 weeks after infection and indicate a recent or early-stage immune response. IgG antibodies develop later and can persist for months or years, indicating past or ongoing infection. The assay uses recombinant antigens from three main pathogenic Borrelia species.
Testing from a dried blood spot eliminates the need for a clinic visit and venous blood draw. This is particularly useful for people living in rural or tick-endemic areas who may not have easy access to pathology services. The DBS sample is stable at room temperature and can be posted to our laboratory by regular mail, making Lyme disease screening accessible from anywhere in the world.
The test uses a simple finger-prick to collect a few drops of blood onto a dried blood spot (DBS) card. You can do this at home or in a clinic — no venous blood draw is needed. The DBS card is stable at room temperature and can be posted to our laboratory by regular mail from anywhere in the world.
Results are typically delivered within 3 to 5 working days from the time your sample arrives at our laboratory. The analysis is performed by ELISA using the EUROIMMUN platform, which is widely recognised for Borrelia antibody detection and provides clear positive, borderline, or negative classifications.
IgM antibodies against Borrelia typically appear 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Testing too early — within the first week or two after a tick bite — may produce a false negative result because the immune system has not yet mounted a detectable antibody response. If you have symptoms such as an expanding rash (erythema migrans), fever, or joint pain but test negative, retesting after 4 to 6 weeks is recommended.
Masdiag's Lyme disease test is available worldwide through our partner network. We currently serve healthcare professionals, wellness brands, and clinics in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Contact us to discuss testing services, white-label kits, or method transfer to your laboratory.
Whether you need testing services, method transfer, or white-label kit development — we'd love to hear from you.