ONTARIO: Lyme Disease
Doctors use a two tier screening test to determine whether a patient has Lyme Disease. Both tests result in a high percentage of false negatives:
1. ELISA Test
2. WESTERN BLOT–not as detailed as some Western Blot tests available outside of Ontario
NEW: Borrelia Culture Lab Test
Advanced Laboratory Services–Nov. 4th, 2011
A culture is a direct test. It will tell you whether the infection is present, and is more accurate than a serology (ELISA and Western Blot), which is not a direct test and at best can only indicate prior exposure. For example, in diagnosing a urinary tract infection, do you test the blood for antibodies to E. coli, or do you culture the urine? The obvious answer also applies to diagnosing infection due to Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Cultures are more useful and give more information.
Website: Click here for link to website
Western Blot Test for Lyme Disease
Click this link for detailed information on how to interpret results of a Western Blot test
