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EM skin biopsy PCR in Lyme Disease

In Lyme Disease (Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi infection), published studies report higher levels of EM skin biopsy PCR, also described as Primary lesion sampling, than in Uninfected tissue. Clinically, it has been associated with early localized disease. The finding is drawn from Lantos et al. 2021; it describes group-level differences, not a threshold that classifies an individual.

↑ ElevatedMolecular

Summary

Direction in Lyme Disease↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group
CategoryMolecular
Also described asPrimary lesion sampling
Compared againstUninfected tissue
Associated symptomsEarly localized disease
Test typeClinical or physiological test
SourceLantos et al. 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.idc.2021.05.001
Condition atlasLyme Disease Biomarker Atlas

Related Molecular markers in Lyme Disease

Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is EM skin biopsy PCR high or low in Lyme Disease?

Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher EM skin biopsy PCR in Lyme Disease than in Uninfected tissue. Source: Lantos et al. 2021.

What symptoms is EM skin biopsy PCR associated with in Lyme Disease?

The cited literature associates this marker with Early localized disease. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures EM skin biopsy PCR?

It is measured as a clinical or physiological test. Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal EM skin biopsy PCR result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. EM skin biopsy PCR 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). EM skin biopsy PCR in Lyme Disease: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/lyme/em-skin-biopsy-pcr.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.