Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.
- Detection of Borrelia IgM and IgG (antibodies) in the blood, immunoblot if necessary; detection can also be performed with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample if neurologic symptoms are present or joint punctates if arthritis (joint inflammation) is present. IgM antibodies to Borrelia can be detected about two to four weeks after the appearance of erythema migrans, and IgG antibodies after about four to eight weeks.The IgM response usually weakens over the course of a few months, but in some patients it persists or reappears, after temporary regression.
- Borrelia PCR from the tick.
