DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofag700 ISSN: 2328-8957
Things We Do for No Reason – Polymerase Chain Reaction for Lyme Disease Diagnostic Testing
Wesley D Kufel, Alicia A Zimmer, Rahul Mahapatra, Kristopher M PaolinoAbstract
Borrelia burgdorferi polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing demonstrated a low positivity rate of 1.9% (17/885), minimal impact on clinical decision-making, and considerable healthcare cost expenditures in a Lyme disease endemic area. These findings reinforce adherence to guideline-recommended serologic testing and support diagnostic stewardship initiatives to limit unnecessary PCR utilization.