Research Tracker›Biomarker Atlas›Lyme Disease›Interleukin-10 (IL-10)

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Lyme Disease

Interleukin-10 (IL-10), also described as Anti-inflammatory cytokine, belongs to the inflammatory group of Lyme Disease (Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi infection) markers and is reported to be raised relative to healthy controls. Symptom domains tied to this marker in the source include immune regulation during infection. The finding is drawn from Lantos et al. 2021; it describes group-level differences, not a threshold that classifies an individual.

↑ ElevatedInflammatoryLOINC 26862-5

Summary

Direction in Lyme Disease↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group
CategoryInflammatory
Also described asAnti-inflammatory cytokine
Compared againstHC (healthy controls)
Associated symptomsImmune regulation during infection
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
LOINC code26862-5
SourceLantos et al. 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.idc.2021.05.001
Condition atlasLyme Disease Biomarker Atlas

Other conditions where Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is reported

See the cross-condition hub: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) across conditions.

Trials, interventions and tests

Commercial test availability

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) — specialty laboratory test. Quest offers IL-10 within Cytokine Panel 13; LabCorp offers standalone serum IL-10.

Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.

Related Inflammatory markers in Lyme Disease

Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) high or low in Lyme Disease?

Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Lyme Disease than in healthy controls. Source: Lantos et al. 2021.

What symptoms is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) associated with in Lyme Disease?

The cited literature associates this marker with Immune regulation during infection. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures Interleukin-10 (IL-10)?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). The standard laboratory code is LOINC 26862-5. Commercial laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp list an orderable assay.

Is one abnormal Interleukin-10 (IL-10) result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) 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.

Is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) specific to Lyme Disease?

No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID, ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Lyme Disease: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/lyme/interleukin-10-il-10.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.