Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test
This blood test detects IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, to help diagnose if you have been infected.
{"The test looks for IgG antibodies, which typically appear 2-4 weeks after a tick bite","A positive result suggests you may have been exposed to Lyme disease bacteria","The test is often used along with other Lyme disease tests for accurate diagnosis","Early detection and treatment with antibiotics is important for recovery","If you had a recent tick bite or live in an area where Lyme disease is common, discuss testing with your healthcare provider"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 107009-3
- Short code
- LYMEVISE
- Synonyms
- B.burgdorferi.VIsE IgG Ser Ql IA
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST, tiger-top, gold-top) or red-top tube without anticoagulant
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.9
- Ref high
- 1.1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (CLIA/EIA - Chemiluminescence or Enzyme Immunoassay) detecting IgG antibodies against the VlsE (variable major protein-like sequence, expressed) antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi
- CPT
- 86618
- SNOMED
- 416623003
- Specimen volume
- 0.5-1 mL serum (minimum 0.3 mL)
- Stability
- Serum stable at room temperature (15-25°C) for 8 hours; refrigerated (2-8°C) for 5 days; frozen (-20°C or below) for up to 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 40
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
The complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells carry oxygen throughout your body, fight infection, and help your blood clot properly after an injury.
The Borrelia burgdorferi VIsE IgG Antibody test is a blood test that checks for IgG antibodies specifically targeting the VIsE protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria transmitted by infected blacklegged ticks. The VIsE (Variable major protein-like sequence, expressed) is an antigen found on the surface of the bacteria. This test uses immunoassay technology to detect whether these antibodies are present in your blood.
Your doctor may order this test as part of a routine checkup or to help diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or blood disorders. It is also used to monitor an ongoing condition or to check how treatments like chemotherapy are affecting your blood cells over time.
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms of Lyme disease, especially if you have been bitten by a tick or spent time in areas where Lyme disease is common. Symptoms may include a bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans), fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The test helps determine if your immune system has produced antibodies in response to a Lyme disease infection.
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm, using a thin needle. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you may feel a quick pinch when the needle goes in. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, and you can return to your normal activities right away.
A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed using immunoassay techniques to detect the presence of VIsE-specific IgG antibodies. You do not need to fast or make any special preparations before this test.
Your results will show whether your blood cell counts fall within the normal reference ranges. Values that are higher or lower than expected can point to conditions such as anemia, infection, or clotting problems, but a single abnormal value does not always mean you are ill. Your doctor will interpret your numbers alongside your symptoms, medical history, and other tests, so be sure to ask questions and discuss what your results mean for you.
Results are typically reported as 'Positive,' 'Negative,' or 'Equivocal.' A positive result means IgG antibodies to VIsE were detected, suggesting you may have been infected with Lyme disease bacteria. However, false positives can occur due to cross-reactivity with other conditions. A negative result does not rule out Lyme disease, especially if you were recently infected—antibodies may not yet be detectable. Your healthcare provider will interpret results in context of your symptoms, exposure history, and possibly additional tests.
Reference range
Negative: <0.9 (antibody not detected); Equivocal: 0.9-1.1 (repeat testing in 2-4 weeks recommended); Positive: >1.1 (antibodies detected, suggestive of past or current infection with B. burgdorferi). Interpret in context of clinical presentation and two-tiered testing algorithm (ELISA followed by Western blot if positive or equivocal).N/A
No fasting required. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about recent antibiotic use, travel history to endemic areas (Northeast, Midwest US, parts of Europe and Asia), and any history of tick bites or erythema migrans rash.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The VIsE IgG antibody test is primarily used for diagnosing Lyme disease, particularly in the later stages of infection. IgG antibodies typically develop 2-4 weeks after infection and can persist for months or even years after treatment. This test is often part of a two-tiered testing approach recommended by the CDC, where positive or equivocal results from enzyme immunoassays (like this one) are followed by Western blot testing for confirmation. Clinical significance also includes monitoring immune response in certain cases, though it is not typically used to assess treatment success.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a tick bite can this test detect Lyme disease?
Do I need to do anything to prepare for this test?
Can this test tell if I have an active infection?
What does it mean if my result is equivocal?
Is a positive result always meaning I have Lyme disease?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy