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Immunoblot (Line blot) - IgG

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Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to Laboratory no. 594 (ISO/IEC 17025)

Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

Detection of IgG antibodies to recombinant antigens and whole antigen extracts of Borrelia burgdoreri sensu lato by Line blot assay.

Test Category:
Serology
Pathogen:
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
Laboratory:
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • European Lyme Disease
  • Neuroborreliosis
Specimen:

Fresh human serum. Minimum volume of serum required is 0.25 mL.  Hemolytic, lipemic or icteric sera may yield erroneous results.

Collection Method:

Collect blood in serum separator tubes.

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

Transfer an aliquot of serum to a 1.5 ml screw-top vial with O-ring (Sarstedt vial). Store specimens refrigerated up to 5 days or store frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry or with freeze packs.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

 

Patient Criteria:

Potential exposure to I. ricinus ticks with appropriate RECENT travel history to Europe and clinical symptoms. The IgG Western blot is intended for use in testing human serum samples which have been found positive or equivocal by the ELISA procedure to provide supportive evidence of infection with pathogenic Borrelia genospecies.

Accompanying Documentation:

Completed Requisition for Serological Testing for Selected Zoonotic. If possible, include the clinical history and lab results performed at local or provincial laboratories.

Comments:

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume, or are not accompanied by relevant patient information and travel history. 

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

Commercial immunoblot assay. This is a qualitative test for the detection of IgG antibodies to pathogenic European genospecies of Borrelia. If early Borreliosis is suspected, serologic evidence of infection is best obtained by testing acute and convalescent phase serum specimens collected 3 – 6 weeks apart.  Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased antibody production which will affect the outcome of serological testing. However, if Lyme disease is suspected based on clinical symptoms, treatment should be initiated.

Turnaround Time:

21 calendar days.

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-7434 or (204) 789-6060
Fax: (204) 789-2082
References:
  1. Hauser, U., Lehnert, G., Lobentanzer, R., Wilske, B. 1997. Interpretation criteria for standardized Western blots for three European species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. J Clin Microbiol 35:1433-1444.
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