New Lyme Disease Test to Reduce Result Time from Days to Minutes

Select urgent care and physician office locations throughout the United States will be able to use new in-office test aids in the diagnosis of Lyme disease. This test is intended to revolutionize the speed and accuracy for patients who are experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease.

The Sofia 2 in-office test (Quidel) provides the patient and physician with promising results within minutes, compared to the historical time frame of a few days. It is now the only test that can get results from a simple finger prick of blood.

“Given that the vast majority of patients tested are negative, getting results so quickly will mean discernable peace of mind for consumers and remove a significant weight off their shoulders,” said Judi Tilghman, Ph.D., vice president of technology assessment at Quidel, in a prepared statement. “In addition, not having to wait days or more for test results allows physicians and nurse practitioners to rapidly treat patients by quickly pursuing other testing if deemed necessary for diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.”

Lyme disease is an infection that is spread when people are bitten by an infected deer tick, and symptoms start to appear within 2 to 6 weeks after the initial bite. Typical symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, weakness in the limbs, and a skin rash with a bull’s-eye pattern.

Reference

New breakthrough in lyme disease testing reduces time to results from days to minutes [news release]. San Diego, CA; BusinessWire: November 12, 2019. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191112005561/en/New-Breakthrough-Lyme-Disease-Testing-Reduces-Time. Accessed November 13, 2019.