5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Researchers at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center developed ddPCR assays for more accurate Lyme disease diagnosis.

• 2

  The assays detect genetic material from Borrelia species, including the primary Lyme disease agent, B. burgdorferi.

• 3

  Three ddPCR assays were developed, targeting all Borrelia species, Lyme-causing species, and specifically B. burgdorferi.

• 4

  The assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, detecting as few as 5 to 10 bacterial cells.

• 5

  Next steps include expanding testing to more cases and enhancing assay sensitivity, according to Dr. Huang.