Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) serology

A negative serology test for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, typically suggests that the individual's blood does not have detectable antibodies against this bacterium. This result can mean either the person has not been infected or the test was conducted too early for antibodies to develop, which usually takes several weeks post-infection. Additionally, it could indicate a low or atypical immune response, or reflect limitations in the test's sensitivity, potentially leading to a false negative. The interpretation of this result should consider the patient's symptoms and exposure risk, and in some cases, a repeat test or alternative testing may be advised.