Borrelia burgdorferi IgG Antibody by Immunofluorescence (Serum/Plasma)
This test detects antibodies in your blood that your immune system produces in response to *Borrelia burgdorferi*, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. It helps diagnose infections caused by tick bites.
["This test checks for immune system response to Lyme disease bacteria, aiding diagnosis after potential exposure."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 9707-1
- Short code
- COX2IGA
- Synonyms
- C burnet Ph2 IgA Titr Ser
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
- CPT
- 86638
- SNOMED
- 122550004
- Specimen volume
- 1 mL serum (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Stable for 7 days at 2-8°C; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C or below
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–96 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms like fever, fatigue, joint pain, or a rash (erythema migrans) after a tick bite, especially in areas where Lyme disease is common. It can also be used to monitor treatment progress or check for recurrence.
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
A positive result means your immune system has detected *Borrelia burgdorferi* antibodies, suggesting past or current infection. However, false positives can occur, so further testing (like PCR or culture) may be needed for confirmation.
What Does a Negative Result Mean?
A negative result means your blood did not show detectable antibodies to *Borrelia burgdorferi* at the time of testing. This does not rule out Lyme disease entirely—other tests or follow-ups may be needed if symptoms persist.
How Is This Test Performed?
A blood sample is drawn from a vein, typically in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab where antibodies are tested using immunofluorescence, a method that detects specific immune responses to the bacteria.
Reference range
Negative: <1:16; Equivocal: 1:16; Positive: ≥1:32N/A
No fasting required. No special patient preparation needed. Patient should be informed about the nature of the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is primarily used as part of a broader evaluation for Lyme disease, especially in patients with suspected infection. Early detection is critical to guide treatment with antibiotics. While antibodies appear after infection, they may take weeks to develop, so testing may be repeated if symptoms persist or recur. It is not used for initial screening in all cases due to potential false positives.
Short name
IgG Antibody to Lyme Disease Spirochete
Frequently asked questions
How soon after infection can I expect this test to show results?
Can I get a false positive result on this test?
What should I do if my test results are positive but I don’t have symptoms?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy