Lyme Disease Antibody Index for CNS Infection

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232262, Beaker: Lyme CNS, S and Lyme CNS, CSF, Quest: 34194

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

NOTE: This test needs CSF and Serum. Collection cannot be greater than 24 hours apart.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: CSF in a sterile collection container with one Red-top or Yellow-top serum separator tube (SST) within a 24-hour period.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

CSF: Maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Blood: Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL CSF and 2.0 mL Serum, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL CSF and 1.0 mL Serum)

Rejection Criteria

• CSF and serum collected greater than 24 hours apart.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport CSF and blood to the Laboratory immediately for processing.

In-Lab Processing

CSF: Maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Blood: Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 2.0 mL CSF and 2.0 mL Serum, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL CSF and 1.0 mL Serum)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Tuesday, Friday.
Report available in 3-7 days.

Reference Range

Lyme Disease Antibody Index

≤1.0	Negative
1.1-1.2	Equivocal
≥1.3	Positive

Control Antibody Index	≤1.0
Albumin Ratio	<0.0078

Test Methodology

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Immunoassay (ELISA) Nephelometry

CPT Codes

82040, 82042, 82784 (X2), 86618 (X4).

Contacts

Last Updated

3/24/2026