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Immunoblot (Western 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 whole antigens plus recombinant VlsE of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (North American strain) by immunoblot assay.

Test Category:
Serology
Pathogen:
Borrelia burgdorferi
Laboratory:
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Lyme Disease
Specimen:

Fresh human serum. 

Minimum volume 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 ice or with freezer 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:

Appropriate clinical symptoms with potential exposure to blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic rash may be present. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

The IgG immunoblot is intended only for human sera which are positive or equivocal on the Lyme disease screening assay e.g. ELISA.

Accompanying Documentation:

Completed Requisition for Serological Testing for Selected Zoonotic Agents. 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.

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

Commercial immunoblot assay. This is a qualitative test for the detection of IgG antibodies to individual proteins of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto.

If early Borreliosis is suspected, serologic evidence of infection is best obtained by testing paired acute and convalescent phase serum samples 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. Moore A, Nelson C, Molins C, Mead P, & Schriefer M. 2016. Current Guidelines, Common Clinical Pitfalls, and Future Directions for Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Disease, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases 22(7): 1169-1177.
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