Blood tests for Borrelia species have specific limitations in their diagnostic informative value
Blood tests for Borrelia species have recognized limitations, including reduced sensitivity during early infection and potential cross-reactivity that can complicate accurate diagnosis.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that antibody and blood-based tests for Borrelia (Lyme disease) have notable limitations, such as low sensitivity in early stages, cross-reactivity, and reliance on indirect markers that require careful clinical interpretation.
Aguero-Rosenfeld ME, Wang G, Schwartz I, Wormser GP. Diagnosis of lyme borreliosis.. 2005. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.18.3.484-509.2005
Discusses limitations of serological tests and variable sensitivity depending on the stage of infection.
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Branda JA, Steere AC. Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00018-19
Highlights that direct detection is often impractical and interpretation of serologic testing requires caution due to complex biology and immune evasion.
Marques AR. Laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease: advances and challenges.. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2015.02.005
Notes that antibody-based tests have lower sensitivity early in illness, leading to false negatives.
Alcon-Chino MET, De-Simone SG. Recent Advances in the Immunologic Method Applied to Tick-Borne Diseases in Brazil.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080870
Notes that immunological methods applied to tick-borne diseases frequently suffer from low sensitivity, specificity, and cross-reactions.
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