Progress in the molecular diagnosis of Lyme disease

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Current laboratory testing of Lyme borreliosis mostly relies on serological methods with known limitations. Diagnostic modalities enabling direct detection of pathogen at the onset of the clinical signs could overcome some of the limitations. Molecular methods detecting borrelial DNA seem to be the ideal solution, although there are some aspects that need to be considered.

Areas covered: This review represent summary and discussion of the published data obtained from literature searches from PubMed and The National Library of Medicine (USA) together with our own experience on molecular diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Expert commentary: Molecular methods are promising and currently serve as supporting diagnostic testing in Lyme borreliosis. Since the field of molecular diagnostics is under rapid development, molecular testing could become an important diagnostic modality.

KEYWORDS:

• Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
• Lyme borreliosis
• PCR
• molecular methods
• molecular diagnostics
• serology
• erythema migrans
• Lyme neuroborreliosis
• acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans
• cerebrospinal fluid

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Sport of Slovenia [Grant Number: P3-0083].