Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction |
|---|---|
| Category | Molecular |
| Also described as | Molecular detection |
| Compared against | Uninfected |
| Associated symptoms | Low sensitivity in blood; higher in EM biopsy |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| Source | Lantos et al. 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.idc.2021.05.001 |
| Condition atlas | Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Concentration of Viral RNA in Adipose Tissue (9 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) as an outcome
- NCT07317401: Investigating the Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Treatment (IHHT) in People With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) to Improve Fatigue, Pain, and Quality of Life by Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autonomic Nervous System Impairment (Not Yet Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Objective autonomic, neurophysiological, and functional performance measures - NCT07076862: Multiparametric [18F]F-AraG Imaging in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Quantification of [¹⁸F]F-AraG uptake kinetics in PASC and control participants - NCT05833217: Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and PASC: Persistent SARS-CoV-2 (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Concentration of Viral RNA in Adipose Tissue - NCT06348186: Fascial Tissue Response to Manual Therapy: Implications in Long COVID-19 (Unknown)
Outcome measure: Biomechanical and tissue viscoelastic properties - NCT06156241: Stem Cell Study for Long COVID-19 Neurological Symptoms (Unknown)
Outcome measure: Determine the safety and establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of allogenic human cord tissue derived MSCs (hCTMSCs) as determined by infusional toxicity of the cell product. - NCT05923840: Chemoreflex and Baroreflex Alterations Causing Postural Tachycardia Syndrome With Orthostatic Hyperpnea and Hypocapnia (Unknown)
Outcome measure: Orthostatic Changes in Segmental Blood Flow - NCT07491315: Is Post-exertional Symptom Exacerbation Specific to Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? A Study Comparing Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Patients With Cardiac Diseases Who Underwent an Exercise Test. (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Variations in oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations measured by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) at the muscular level before, during and after exercise. - NCT07621068: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) (Not Yet Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Body Composition
1 more trials reference this marker.
Commercial test availability
Borrelia burgdorferi PCR — commercial laboratory test.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Molecular markers in Lyme Disease
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) high or low in Lyme Disease?
Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) in Lyme Disease compared with Uninfected, so no single direction is established. Source: Lantos et al. 2021.
What symptoms is B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Low sensitivity in blood; higher in EM biopsy. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue)?
It is measured as a clinical or physiological test. Commercial laboratories such as LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. B. burgdorferi PCR (blood/CSF/tissue) 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.