Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Serologic |
| Also described as | Variable lipoprotein E |
| Compared against | Uninfected |
| Associated symptoms | Borrelia immune response |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Bacon et al. 2003 — doi:10.1086/376905 |
| Condition atlas | Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas |
Related Serologic markers in Lyme Disease
- C6 peptide ELISA (VisE) ↑
- Anti-OspC antibodies ↑
- IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) ↑
- Anti-OspA antibodies ↑
- IgG immunoblot (≥5 of 10 bands) ↑
- Anti-p41 (flagellin) antibodies ↑
- B. burgdorferi EIA (screening) ↑
- Synovial fluid anti-Bb antibodies ↑
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anti-VlsE antibodies high or low in Lyme Disease?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Anti-VlsE antibodies in Lyme Disease than in Uninfected. Source: Bacon et al. 2003.
What symptoms is Anti-VlsE antibodies associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Borrelia immune response. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Anti-VlsE antibodies?
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 Anti-VlsE antibodies result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. Anti-VlsE antibodies 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.
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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.