FASTest® LYME is a rapid immunochromatographic test for the qualitative detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in whole blood, plasma or serum of the dog.

Borreliosis caused by the borrelia species Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B.b.s.l., genospecies B.b. sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. afzelii) is a worldwide spread infectious disease in dogs, other animals and in humans. Borrelia transmitting ticks (Ixodes ricinus, castor bean tick) are infected up to 30% with borrelia. In dogs from endemic areas, the antibody prevalence (up to 95%) correlates with dog ownership, dog’s outdoor time and sucking time of the ticks.

The definitive in-clinic diagnosis “Lyme borreliosis“ is often complex and can only be done by an analytical view combining many details like case history, clinical symptoms (e.g. lethargy, exhaustion, fever, swollen lymph glands, switching lameness, arthritis and neurological disorders) and especially by laboratory diagnostics. A successful therapy is based on an early detection of symptoms (first signs 2 to 5 months after tick exposition). Antibody detection (IgM before IgG) succeeds earliest in week 4 to 6 after tick exposition, after 3 months the antibody level is highest. A titre increase (seroconversion) is always seen before clinical signs of lameness and fever. Therefore, a negative test in an animal with clinical symptoms can rule out an acute borreliosis.

For the detection of antibodies, a two-step diagnostics is known to be golden standard. First step starts with an in-clinic antibody screening test like FASTest® LYME. Due to the fact that dogs from endemic areas show antibodies against B.b.s.l. on principle, a positive FASTest® LYME only means contact with borrelia in the past, not always implying an active lyme borreliosis. A determination whether the antibody titre is caused by antibodies due to vaccination or due to a natural infection is only possible by repeatedly running Western Blot tests (second diagnostic step). Based on highly specific, recombinant B.b.s.l. antigens, the early detection of B. burgdorferi sensu lato IgG antibodies via FASTest® LYME is an additional important diagnostic tool to assure the diagnosis “borreliosis”.