When should tests for tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis be taken after a tick bite? - briefly
TBE antibodies become detectable roughly 7–14 days after a bite, while Lyme‑disease serology should not be done before 2–3 weeks post‑exposure and, if initially negative, repeated at 4–6 weeks.
When should tests for tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis be taken after a tick bite? - in detail
Testing for tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme disease after a tick bite must follow the pathogen’s incubation patterns and the dynamics of antibody production.
Tick‑borne encephalitis
- Serum IgM antibodies become detectable 7–10 days after infection; IgG appears 2–3 weeks later.
- An initial sample is recommended at least 10 days post‑exposure to capture early seroconversion.
- A second sample, collected 3–4 weeks after the bite, confirms seroconversion and distinguishes recent infection from prior immunity.
- If neurological symptoms develop, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis for intrathecal IgM/IgG should be performed immediately, regardless of the time elapsed.
Lyme disease (borreliosis)
- Early localized infection may produce a negative serology within the first week; antibodies typically emerge after 2–3 weeks.
- Baseline serology is advisable at 2–4 weeks post‑bite for patients who develop erythema migrans or systemic signs.
- A convalescent sample 4–6 weeks after exposure confirms seroconversion when the initial test is negative but clinical suspicion remains.
- For disseminated or late manifestations, testing is performed after 6 weeks, focusing on IgG antibodies and, when appropriate, CSF analysis for intrathecal antibody production.
Practical protocol
- Collect the first blood specimen no earlier than 10 days after the tick attachment for TBE and no earlier than 14 days for Lyme disease.
- Schedule a follow‑up specimen 3–4 weeks later for TBE and 4–6 weeks later for Lyme disease.
- Perform CSF studies promptly if neurological signs appear, independent of the serologic schedule.
- Use enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening tool, followed by immunoblot confirmation for both pathogens.
Adhering to these intervals maximizes diagnostic sensitivity and enables timely therapeutic decisions.