From the Guidelines
The Lyme AB Screen result of >10.00 index is significantly elevated and indicates a positive test for Lyme disease antibodies, suggesting exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi and necessitating immediate consultation with a healthcare provider to discuss treatment options. This result is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which recommends testing for Lyme disease in patients with epidemiologically plausible exposure to ticks infected with B. burgdorferi 1.
Key Considerations
- The sensitivity of 2-tiered serologic testing for Lyme disease is low (30%–40%) during early infection, but specificity is high (>95%) during all stages of disease 1.
- Treatment typically involves antibiotics, with doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 10-21 days being the standard first-line therapy for most adults, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 1.
- Alternative options include amoxicillin 500mg three times daily for 14-21 days or cefuroxime 500mg twice daily for 14-21 days if doxycycline is contraindicated.
- The duration of treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease, and early treatment is crucial to prevent progression to more serious complications involving the heart, joints, or nervous system.
Next Steps
- Consult with a healthcare provider immediately to discuss your specific treatment plan, as they may need to evaluate you for symptoms and determine the appropriate antibiotic regimen based on your individual circumstances, including any allergies or other medical conditions you may have.
- Be aware of the potential for false negatives during early infection, and consider repeat testing if symptoms persist or worsen over time 1.
From the Research
Interpretation of LYME AB SCREEN Results
- The result of the LYME AB SCREEN is >10.00, which is considered High (H) according to the index [P1 05/21/25.1550.rfl.COMPLETE.AMLT .20449-5 Index].
- The interpretation of the results is as follows:
- < 0.90: Negative
- 0.90-1.09: Equivocal
1.09: Positive (or in this case, >10.00: High)
Relevant Studies
- A study published in 2019 2 discusses the updated CDC recommendation for serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease, which may be relevant to the interpretation of the LYME AB SCREEN results.
- Another study published in 2021 3 investigates the efficacy and safety of oral and injectable antibiotics for treating Lyme disease, which may be relevant to the treatment of Lyme disease if the results are positive.
- A case report published in 2021 4 describes a patient with clinically suspected disseminated Lyme disease who underwent seroconversion after treatment with ceftriaxone and doxycycline.
- A review article published in 2008 5 discusses the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, including the use of antibiotics such as doxycycline and amoxicillin.
- A systematic review published in 2016 6 assesses the effects of antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme neuroborreliosis, which may be relevant to the treatment of Lyme disease if the results are positive.
Treatment Options
- According to the studies, treatment options for Lyme disease may include:
- Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin
- Intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin G
- Alternative antibiotics such as cefuroxime axetil or erythromycin
- The choice of treatment may depend on the severity of the disease, the presence of neurological symptoms, and other factors.