Lyme Disease Antibodies, IgM
Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, usually carried by the black-legged tick and the deer tick. People who are bitten by these ticks may develop an inflammation of the skin, joints and nervous system. This disease produces headache, fever and chills, pain in the muscles and joints and fatigue or tiredness. After a few weeks or months, people with Lyme disease may suffer from paralysis or weakness in the face, pain and numbness in their arms and legs, meningitis, pain in the chest and irritation of the eyes.
In some cases, the disease becomes chronic, causing arthritis, continued muscle pain and memory loss. Lyme disease is notable for the distinctive red ring that occurs around the site of the bite a few days after infection, but not everyone with this disease will show signs of the ring. Antibody testing for this condition can help even asymptomatic people get the treatment they need to prevent more serious problems later on.
People who show any symptoms of Lyme disease, especially those who have recently visited the northwestern or northeastern United States, should get tested, particularly if they have been bitten by ticks. The test may be repeated in people who have been diagnosed. This extra testing helps ensure that the patient is recovering properly. Patients who have never been exposed to the disease will have no antibodies, while people who have had it in the past may show IgG antibodies but no IgM antibodies.
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