Progress in the molecular diagnosis of Lyme disease

Abstract

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; Lyme neuroborreliosis; PCR; acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans; cerebrospinal fluid; erythema migrans; molecular diagnostics; molecular methods; serology.