Diagnosis & Testing

• Clinical signs and a history of exposure are most often used for diagnosis.
• Serological testing is performed with a 2-part test.
  • EIA- Enzyme Immunoassay
  • Immunoblot/Western Blot
• The first part must be positive before the second part will be performed and both must be positive for Lyme confirmation.

CDC Treatment Recommendation

• Adults: Doxycycline 100mg- 2x daily, Cefuroxime axetil 500mg- 2x daily, or Amoxicillin 500mg- 3x daily for 10-21 days
• Children: Doxycycline 4mg/kg divided into 2 doses daily, Cefuroxime axetil 30mg/kg divided into 2 doses daily, or Amoxicillin 50mg/kg divided into 2 doses daily for 10-21 days

Disease Pathogenesis

• Early Lyme (Localized) : A rash near the site of tick attachment, sometimes resembling a bullseye mark may be present. A bullseye rash or atypical rash may appear on other regions of the body.
• Early Lyme (Disseminated) : Throughout several weeks, infection will spread to the joints, eyes, heart and the nervous system. Multiple rashes on the body may also be present.
• Late Lyme (Disseminated) : Bacteria can become dormant and reemerge weeks, months or possibly years after initial infection. Long term effects include arthritis of the joints, Lyme encephalopathy, or nervous system complications.