B. burgdorferi IgG, IgM by Western Blot

Ordering Borrelia Burgdorferi IgG, IgM by Western Blot with Immunosciences Lab

This assay is known as the tier-two blood test for the confirmation of Lyme disease with high accuracy. It detects Borrelia-specific peptide antibodies in human serum, was refined by different investigators, and was recommended for a better diagnosis of Lyme disease.

The advantage of Western Blot over the ELISA method is that while ELISA uses a mixture of proteins for testing, in WB, the antigens are separated based on their molecular size, for example, 18, 23, 28, 30, 39,

41, 45, 58, 66, and 93 kDa prior to completion of the ELISA steps. The disadvantage is that the antibody reaction with each pure antigen can only be observed qualitatively or simply a positive or negative, yes or no result.

According to the CDC/ASTPHLD Working Group:

• An IgG blot is considered positive (reactive) if 5 of the following ten peptide bands are present: p18, p23, p28, p30, p39, p41, p45, p58, p66, p93.
• An IgM blot is considered positive (reactive) if 2 of the following three peptide bands are present: p23, p39, and p41.
• If the IgG or IgM antibodies against the above peptides are negative, the patient is considered non-reactive.
  

A sample-positive Western Blot test is shown in the figure below.

The Western Blot (WB) assay has been widely used to detect the presence of antibodies in human serum and plasma to various infectious disease agents.

In this procedure, component proteins of purified, inactivated organisms are electrophoretically separated by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis followed by electrotransfer to nitrocellulose sheets. Each strip serves as the solid-phase antigen for an ELISA test.

Specific antibodies present in human serum/plasma will bind to several of the separated polypeptides upon incubation with the strip. These antibodies are then treated with an enzyme-antibody conjugate which binds to the human immunoglobulins if present. The final product of the membrane antigen, a human antibody, and the conjugate is visualized upon incubation with a chromogenic enzyme substrate. This will result in a blue-colored “band” at the polypeptide location on the membrane strip if the specific human antibody is present.

The Borrelia burgdorferi IgG, IgM by Western Blot is Best Used For Which Patients?

This panel is beneficial for a wide variety of patients with:

• Tick bite
• Erythema Migrans positive
• Unclassified autoimmune disease
• Chronic synovitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lyme arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Lupus
• Neuroborreliosis
• Lymphocytic meningitis
• Cranial neuritis
• Painful radiculoneuritis

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

The Borrelia burgdorferi IgG, IgM by Western Blot should be considered when patients present the following symptoms and conditions:

• Immune system-swollen glands, fever/chills, weakened immune defenses.
• Heart- irregular heartbeat, inflammation.
• Muscles- weakness, heartbeat, inflammation.
• Rash- flat red rash, not itchy or painful, may have a central clearing.
• Brain- memory loss, inability to concentrate, headache, neck pain and stiffness, encephalitis or meningitis, psychosis.
• Eyes- blurred vision, floaters, irregular pupil.
• Nerves- Pain, often down an arm or leg, pins and needles, tingling, burning electric shock sensations, numbness, paralysis, often on one side of the face, twitching, and spasms.
• Joints- joint pain, inflammatory arthritis in one or several joints.