Scientists work toward a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for Lyme disease

A study describes a new rapid assay for Lyme disease that could lead to a practical test for use by healthcare providers. The researchers found the assay, which uses several biomarkers to detect Lyme disease infection, was more sensitive than current laboratory-based tests when diagnosing Lyme disease early after suspected infection.

In this image, the spiral-shaped bacteria which cause Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, have been illuminated using red and green fluorescent antibodies. Photo: NIAID

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spiral-shaped bacterium transmitted by deer ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated effectively with a short course of antibiotics. However, Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because it causes a wide range of symptoms, from fever and rash to neurologic and cardiac symptoms and joint pain. Current Lyme disease tests also can miss an infection if performed too early.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a two-step blood test for diagnosing Lyme disease that looks for antibodies against Lyme disease.

These tests require specialized laboratory equipment and can require days or weeks to return results. The authors of the paper plan to develop a simpler, faster, more sensitive test that could be used at the point of care during a single visit to a healthcare provider.

The researchers first screened a set of known Lyme disease biomarkers for their ability to indicate infection. They then tested for the top three biomarkers on samples from people with early Lyme disease, from healthy individuals from areas where Lyme disease is endemic, and from people with Lyme arthritis. This was compared to results obtained using the standard two-step testing procedure.

Overall, the new set of biomarkers was more sensitive than standard Lyme disease tests. These biomarkers were better at picking up signs of Lyme disease infection in early stage samples—possibly because they were able to detect antibodies that peak in the first two to six weeks after a person is infected with Lyme disease.

These results open the possibility of developing a point-of-care test for Lyme disease. (National Institutes of Health)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Fairer fish trade could fix nutrient deficiencies in coastal countries

Local fish catch could help reduce nutrient deficiencies in developing countries — but only if more of it is distributed regionally.

‘Artificial leaf’ successfully produces clean gas

A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and which could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to petrol.

Study reveals how collapse of protein processes is driver of aging and death

Cells undergo natural aging and death, processes that impact a multitude of cellular factors. A new Stony Brook University-led study provides a biophysical model that reveals how with age, damage accumulates in the shapes of cellular proteins and triggers death.

Revealing the nanostructure of wood could help raise height limits for wooden skyscrapers

Cambridge researchers have captured the visible nanostructure of living wood for the first time using an advanced low-temperature scanning electron microscope.

Researchers identify genetic variations linked to oxygen drops during sleep

Researchers have identified 57 genetic variations of a gene strongly associated with declines in blood oxygen levels during sleep.

Too Much Screen Time Changes Structure of Toddlers' Brains

Too many hours looking at smartphones and tablets 'slows down toddlers' language and reading development because it changes the structure of their brains.