Lyme Disease Test

A Lyme disease screening measuring Borrelia IgG antibodies using a VlsE1/pepC10 ELISA assay. Detects antibodies to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium transmitted through tick bites, which is endemic in the Netherlands.

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe and is endemic in the Netherlands, where the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium is carried by the Ixodes ricinus tick found in wooded and grassy areas throughout the country. The Dutch public health institute (RIVM) estimates approximately 27,000 GP consultations for tick bites annually, with roughly 1.5 million tick bites occurring each year. This test measures IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi using a modern VlsE1/pepC10 ELISA assay, which offers improved sensitivity and specificity compared to older whole-cell lysate methods. IgG antibodies typically become detectable four to six weeks after infection. It is important to note that the test may be negative in the very early stages of infection, when the characteristic erythema migrans rash may be the only sign — in such cases, clinical diagnosis takes precedence over serology. The test is relevant for individuals who have been bitten by a tick and are experiencing symptoms such as expanding rash, fatigue, joint pain, or neurological complaints, as well as for those who spend significant time outdoors in tick-endemic areas and want a screening baseline. A positive result warrants further evaluation and potential antibiotic treatment through a GP or specialist.