Lyme disease is one difficult disease to detect. Its symptoms sometimes appear days, months, and even years after the infectious tick bite. This is why sometimes, the illness has caused several damages to the body before the patient finally consults a doctor.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Symptoms are similar to countless other diseases, which is another reason why it is so hard to detect. Another problem is that the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that causes this disease is extremely hard to culture in the laboratory. That’s why diagnosis of Lyme disease is usually based on a history of exposure to places where ticks are reported to live in great numbers. It is also based on clinical examination findings. If your doctor suspects that you have Lyme disease, he will conduct a physical exam and carefully go through your medical history.
Lyme Disease Rashes
Although the erythema migrans rash does not occur in all Lyme disease cases, it is enough to declare that a patient is positive for Lyme disease. The doctor will also ask you to undergo an antibody test, the most common test to detect Lyme disease. In this test, the doctor will check if your body has been producing antibodies against the Borrelia bacterium. However, it usually takes two to three months after the infection before these antibodies can be detected in your blood.
Lyme Disease Antibody Tests
There are three types of antibody tests. The first two types are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA). ELISA is considered a more accurate and more reliable test than IFA. The last type of antibody test is called the Western blot test. This is a more specific test done to confirm the result of ELISA or IFA.
Aside from antibody test, there are other tests that can be done for Lyme disease. One of them is called the PCR test or polymerase chain reaction test. PCR testing detects the DNA or genetic material of the Borrelia bacteria. This test requires expensive equipment and technical skill so it is not done as commonly as antibody testing. There is also a risk of false-positive test findings.
Skin Cultures
Another test done to detect Lyme disease is skin culture. In this test, the doctor will check a tissue sample for the Borellia bacteria. It usually takes several weeks before the results are released.