Tickpedia
Removal · field guidance

Western blot interpretation: IgM bands (early disease)

An IgM blot is positive when at least 2 of 3 specific bands (23, 39, 41 kDa) are present, valid only in the first 30 days of illness.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo
  1. 01
    Read the IgM blot for the three CDC-defined bands: 23 kDa (OspC), 39 kDa (BmpA), 41 kDa (Fla).
  2. 02
    Two or more of these bands constitutes a positive IgM result.
  3. 03
    Use IgM only if symptoms began within 30 days; after that, false positives dominate.
  4. 04
    The 41 kDa band alone is non-specific (cross-reacts with other bacteria).
  5. 05
    Pair with the IgG blot when the patient has been symptomatic for several weeks.

Wild facts

loading…