Molecular Detection by PCR

Molecular detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in clinical specimens.

Synovial fluid or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - minimum volume required is 1.0 mL. Fresh tissue (skin biopsy) – 1 to 5 mg, or paraffin-embedded tissue or sections - 10 to 35 µm thick.

Whole blood or serum are low-yield specimens and will be rejected.

CSF and synovial fluid should be collected into sterile container without additives.
Fresh or paraffin-embedded tissue should be placed in moistened gauze and placed into sterile container.

Store specimens frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry ice.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Appropriate clinical symptoms with potential exposure to blacklegged ticks.

Completed requisition for Tick-borne Disease Diagnostic Testing. If possible, include the clinical history and lab results performed at local or provincial laboratories.

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume, or are not accompanied by relevant patient information.

THIS TEST IS PERFORMED FOR INVESTIGATIONAL OR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY

In-house conventional and real-time PCR assays. If amplicons are generated by conventional PCR, they are subjected to direct sequencing for identification.

Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased bacterial genome which will affect the outcome of PCR testing.

15 calendar days.

1. Courtney, J.W., Kostelnik, L.M., Zeidner, N.S., Massung, R.F. 2004. Multiplex real-time PCR for detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi. J. Clin. Micro. 42(7):3164-3168.
2. Johnson, B.J.B., Happ, C.M., Mayer, L.W., Piesman, J. 1992. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks by species-specific amplification of the flagellin gene. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 47(6):730-741.