Summary - Clinical utility of the different Western blot antigen profiles in the context of disseminated Lyme disease

Summary - Clinical utility of the different Western blot antigen profiles in the context of disseminated Lyme disease MARCH 2021 Clinical utility of the different Western blot antigen profiles in the context of disseminated Lyme disease English Summary Une production de l’Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) SUMMARY Clinical utility of the different Western blot. [...] At the same time, INESSS was also asked to assess the clinical utility of the Western blot antigen profile and to identify the issues associated with the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec providing this information to requesting clinicians, in order to support decision-makers in their decision-making. [...] Methodology For the purposes of this part of the task, INESSS conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature and of publications containing positions, recommendations and guidelines on the subject. [...] Although it is in accordance with current provincial legislation, providing this profile to the requesting clinician could pose certain problems, notably in terms of the feasibility for public health laboratories, depending on the number of requests and the interpretation of the information given to the requesting clinicians. [...] In the meantime, although some of the stakeholders consulted see the usefulness of knowing what this profile is in the general approach to care, the overall assessment and consultation process indicates that it is too early and even potentially risky to make this information available for the purpose of guiding clinical management.