Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

While there have been very few documented cases of Lyme disease in Oklahoma, diagnostic testing is often considered. This is a concise summary of the evidence regarding diagnostic tests for Lyme disease and how and when to use or not use them. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

Commercial full text (fees may apply)

View

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the US, occurring predominantly in the Northeast, the upper Midwest, and Northern California, with increasing incidence and geographic range.1 Lyme disease can cause a skin lesion at the site of the initial tick bite as well as disseminated disease, including neuropathy, meningitis, acute myocarditis/pericarditis (often with associated conduction abnormalities), and arthritis. Accurate diagnosis is the first step in the optimal management of Lyme disease.

Author/s:

Pitrak, D, Nguyen, C. T., Cifu, A. S.

Is It Possible to Make a Correct Diagnosis of Lyme Disease on Symptoms Alone? Review of Key Issues and Public Health Implications

John Bayhi — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:58:04 +0000

Date Added:

November 2, 2019

Journal/Publication:

The American Journal of Medicine

Publisher:

Elsevier, Inc.

Publication Date:

October 1, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

132

Pages:

1148-1152

URL:

Is It Possible to Make a Correct Diagnosis of Lyme Disease on Symptoms Alone? Review of Key Issues and Public Health Implications

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.04.001

Keywords

Diagnosis of Lyme disease

Lyme disease

public health implications

symptoms of Lyme disease

treatment of Lyme disease

PMID (1):

31028718

MeSH

public health

Lyme Disease

Clinical Laboratory Techniques

While Lyme disease is extremely rare in Oklahoma, I’m sure you have all encountered patients who think they have it. This is a nice review of the diagnostic tests required to confirm the diagnosis. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

Free full text

View

There is much confusion and misinformation about the diagnosis of Lyme disease, as well as its treatment. This review explains why one cannot make a correct diagnosis of Lyme disease based on symptoms alone. It also provides evidence to support the validity of two-tier testing for the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. The public health consequences of failing to consider these issues are discussed.

Author/s:

Baker, PJ