Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Functional |
| Also described as | Clinical-laboratory composite |
| Compared against | Bell's palsy non-Lyme |
| Associated symptoms | Lyme neuroborreliosis |
| 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 |
Related Functional markers in Lyme Disease
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis high or low in Lyme Disease?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis in Lyme Disease than in Bell's palsy non-Lyme. Source: Lantos et al. 2021.
What symptoms is Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Lyme neuroborreliosis. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis?
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 Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. Facial palsy + CSF pleocytosis 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.