Borrelia Species by PCR (Sendout)

Ordering Recommendation: Not a first-line test for Lyme disease. May be useful if strong suspicion of Lyme disease persists in spite of persistent negative serologic testing. Blood and CSF specimens have poor clinical sensitivity for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi by PCR.

For Lyme Disease Serology testing, refer to Lyme Disease Serology w/ Conf (Sendout) [RLYMES].

Blood: collect 5 mL in LAVENDER TOP (EDTA) tube or GOLD SST

• Unacceptable: Greent top (heparin) tubes

CSF or Synovial fluid: 1 mL fluid in a sterile container

Tissue: Transfer tissue to a sterile container

Outside Laboratories:

• Blood: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum or plasma to a separate sterile aliquot. Freeze at -20°C while awaiting shipment.
• CSF or Synovial Fluid: Transfer 1 mL CSF to a sterile aliquot. Freeze at -20°C while awaiting shipment.
• Tissue: Transfer tissue to a sterile container and freeze at -20°C immediately.

Transport samples on dry ice. Indicate the specimen type on the UW requisition.

Stability:

• Serum/Plasma/CSF/Synovial Fluid: Frozen (preferred): 1 year; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Ambient: 8 hours.
• Tissue: Frozen (required): 1 year; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Unacceptable Conditions: Heparinized specimens, tissues in optimal cutting temperature compound.

Processing:

• Blood: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum or plasma to a separate sterile aliquot. Freeze at -20°C.
• CSF or Synovial Fluid: Transfer 1 mL CSF to a sterile aliquot. Freeze at -20°C.
• Tissue: Transfer to a sterile container and freeze at -20°C immediately.

Sendouts:

• Order ARUP Test: 0055570
• Interfaced: Yes [Interface: 602; Department: ARPZ]

Stability:

• Serum/Plasma/CSF/Synovial Fluid: Frozen (preferred): 1 year; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Ambient: 8 hours.
• Tissue: Frozen (required): 1 year; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Unacceptable Conditions: Heparinized specimens, tissues in optimal cutting temperature compound.

Use the login information directly below for tissue samples only. For other sample types, refer to the information under Misc. Sendout.

Login (Tissue Samples Only):

Result-at-entry (Tissue Samples Only):