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PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) in Lyme Disease

In Lyme Disease (Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi infection), the direction of change for PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS), also described as Peripheral immune signature, is inconsistent across studies that used healthy controls, recovered Lyme as the reference group. Symptom domains tied to this marker in the source include post-treatment persistent symptoms. This entry summarises Aucott et al. 2014. Group-level associations like this do not translate into an individual diagnostic cut-off.

↕ InconsistentChronic/PTLDS

Summary

Direction in Lyme Disease↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction
CategoryChronic/PTLDS
Also described asPeripheral immune signature
Compared againstHC, recovered Lyme (healthy controls, recovered Lyme)
Associated symptomsPost-treatment persistent symptoms
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
SourceAucott et al. 2014 — doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.02.016
Condition atlasLyme Disease Biomarker Atlas

Related Chronic/PTLDS markers in Lyme Disease

Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) high or low in Lyme Disease?

Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) in Lyme Disease compared with healthy controls, recovered Lyme, so no single direction is established. Source: Aucott et al. 2014.

What symptoms is PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) associated with in Lyme Disease?

The cited literature associates this marker with Post-treatment persistent symptoms. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS)?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) 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). PBMC cytokine profile (PTLDS) in Lyme Disease: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/lyme/pbmc-cytokine-profile-ptlds.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.