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Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology in Lyme Disease

Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology, also described as Tick co-infection, belongs to the co-infection group of Lyme Disease (Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi infection) markers and is reported to be raised relative to Uninfected. Symptom domains tied to this marker in the source include co-infection with Lyme. The evidence summarised here comes from Swanson et al. 2022 and reflects averages across cohorts rather than any single patient's result.

↑ ElevatedCo-infection

Summary

Direction in Lyme Disease↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group
CategoryCo-infection
Also described asTick co-infection
Compared againstUninfected
Associated symptomsCo-infection with Lyme
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
SourceSwanson et al. 2022 — doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101987
Condition atlasLyme Disease Biomarker Atlas

Related Co-infection markers in Lyme Disease

Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology high or low in Lyme Disease?

Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology in Lyme Disease than in Uninfected. Source: Swanson et al. 2022.

What symptoms is Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology associated with in Lyme Disease?

The cited literature associates this marker with Co-infection with Lyme. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Anaplasma phagocytophilum serology in Lyme Disease: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/lyme/anaplasma-phagocytophilum-serology.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from lyme.json · Browse: Lyme Disease atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages

Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.