Sarcoidosis and ELISA for Borrelia burgdorferi

Lyme disease can be confirmed by detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against the causative pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be confirmatory within weeks of symptom onset. Sarcoidosis has not previously been reported as one of the disease processes associated with a false-positive ELISA for Lyme disease. In our study, Lyme ELISA was obtained in 25 patients with various degrees of activity of sarcoidosis. ELISA was positive for Lyme disease in only one of these patients. Sarcoidosis may not be one of the diseases that commonly results in a false-positive Lyme ELISA.