87278-8

LOINC code 87278-8 identifies "Borrelia afzelii+burgdorferi+garinii IgM band pattern [Interpretation] in Serum by Line blot". The pattern of reactive bands specific to IgM antibodies associated with Borrelia afzelii, B burgdorferi, and B garinii species in human serum. Antibodies against p39, OspC, Osp17 and VlsE antigens are characterized as highly specific for Borrelia species, whereas p41 shows only limited specificity. The presence of specific bands suggests a recent infection of Lyme disease. This term was created for, but not limited in use to, the Borrelia ViraStripe IgM assay, which uses native, purified antigens immobilized on a test strip to which patient antibodies, if present, will bind. Various manufacturers label this method as an immunoblot technique. LOINC uses the immunoblot (IB) method to mean that some electrophoretic/chromatographic separation occurs such that position (size) of the band is part of the laboratory assessment (as in Western blot). Because this assay does not involve a separation step but rather uses strips with pre-fixed antigens, the LOINC Method is Line blot.

This code measures Borrelia afzelii+burgdorferi+garinii Ab.IgM band pattern in Ser. It belongs to the MICRO class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.