Complete Blood Count (CBC)

What is this test? A complete blood count, or CBC, is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to help evaluate your overall health.

The Borrelia burgdorferi VlsE+OspC IgG+IgM Antibody test is a blood test that looks for antibodies in your blood that your immune system produces in response to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium transmitted by blacklegged (deer) ticks that causes Lyme disease. The test specifically detects two types of antibodies: IgM (immunoglobulin M), which appear early in infection, and IgG (immunoglobulin G), which develop later. It uses two specific antigens—VlsE and OspC—to improve the accuracy of detection.

Why do I need this test? Your doctor may order this test during a routine checkup, to help diagnose symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, or unusual bruising, or to monitor a condition like anemia or infection and check how a treatment is affecting your blood.

Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease, especially if you have been bitten by a tick or have spent time in areas where Lyme disease is common. Early symptoms may include a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash (erythema migrans), fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, causing more serious complications.

How is the test performed? A health care professional will wrap a band around your upper arm, clean your skin, and draw a small sample of blood from a vein, usually inside your elbow or on the back of your hand. The sample is sent to a laboratory, and results are often ready within one to two days.

A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is tested using an immunoassay technique that can detect the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against the VlsE and OspC antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi. You do not need to fast before this test, and the procedure typically takes only a few minutes.

What do the results mean? Your results show whether the levels of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are within the normal range. Values that are too high or too low may suggest conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or clotting problems, but your doctor will interpret them together with your symptoms and medical history.

Results are typically reported as positive or negative for IgG and IgM antibodies. A positive IgM result usually indicates an early infection, as IgM antibodies appear within 1-2 weeks after infection. A positive IgG result typically indicates a later or established infection, as IgG antibodies develop over several weeks to months. However, interpretation should be done by your healthcare provider, who will consider your symptoms, exposure history, and the timing of the test. Sometimes, additional confirmatory testing may be needed.

Are there any risks? This test is very safe. You may feel a quick sting when the needle is inserted, and the puncture site may be slightly sore, bruised, or bleed a little afterward. Serious complications such as infection are rare, and you can usually return to your normal activities right away.

The risks associated with this test are minimal and similar to those of any routine blood draw. These may include slight pain or bruising at the injection site, dizziness, or in rare cases, infection. These side effects are generally temporary and resolve quickly.