Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | CSF |
| Also described as | B-cell chemoattractant |
| Compared against | Non-NB controls (Non-neuroborreliosis controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Neuroborreliosis — high specificity |
| Test type | Tissue / pathology test |
| Source | Rupprecht et al. 2005 — doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000185296.27976.4f |
| Condition atlas | Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
Commercial test availability
CSF CXCL13 (Neuroborreliosis) — specialty laboratory test. Specialty CSF send-out for Lyme neuroborreliosis.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related CSF markers in Lyme Disease
- CSF anti-Bb antibody index ↑
- CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis ↑
- CSF protein elevation ↑
- CSF oligoclonal bands ↕
- CSF glucose ↕
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is CSF CXCL13 high or low in Lyme Disease?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher CSF CXCL13 in Lyme Disease than in Non-neuroborreliosis controls. Source: Rupprecht et al. 2005.
What symptoms is CSF CXCL13 associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Neuroborreliosis — high specificity. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures CSF CXCL13?
It is measured as a tissue / pathology test. Commercial laboratories such as Euroimmun (specialty) list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal CSF CXCL13 result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. CSF CXCL13 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.