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HelpTest ID: BMIYC Borrelia miyamotoi Detection PCR, Spinal Fluid
Useful For
Aids in the diagnosis of Borrelia miyamotoi infection in conjunction with clinical findings
This test is not useful for detecting the Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Reporting Name
Borrelia miyamotoi Detection PCR, CSpecimen Type
CSFOrdering Guidance
This assay does not detect the Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Submit aliquot from collection vial 2.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochetal bacterium. It is a member of the tick-borne relapsing fever borreliae and is more distantly related to the Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease. This organism causes a febrile illness with body and joint pain, fatigue, and, rarely, rash, and has been detected in Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus ticks. These ticks are also the vectors for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
The preferred method for detecting B miyamotoi is real-time polymerase chain reaction. Less commonly, B miyamotoi spirochetes can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid preparations in patients with invasive neurologic disease. This assay does not detect the Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease.
Reference Values
Negative
Interpretation
A positive result indicates the presence of Borrelia miyamotoi DNA and is consistent with active or recent infection. While positive results are highly specific indicators of disease, they should be correlated with symptoms and clinical findings of tick-borne relapsing fever. Less commonly, this test may also detect the nucleic acid of other relapsing fever borreliae; when detected, the report indicates the presence of relapsing fever Borrelia species, not B miyamotoi.
Clinical Reference
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Hard Tick Relapsing Fever. CDC; 2024. Accessed December 30, 2025. Available at www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/about/about-htrf.html
2. Hoornstra D, Azagi T, van Eck JA, et al. Prevalence and clinical manifestation of Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ticks and humans in the northern hemisphere: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Microbe. 2022;3(10):e772-e786. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00157-4
3. Miller JM, Binnicker MJ, Campbell S, et al. Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2024 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Clin Infect Dis. Published online March 5, 2024. doi:10.1093/cid/ciae104
4. Kubiak JM, Klevay M, Hilt EE, Ferrieri P. Acute meningoencephalitis associated with Borrelia miyamotoi, Minnesota, USA. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(7):1472-1474. doi:10.3201/eid3007.231611
5. Rodino KG, Pritt BS. When to think about other borreliae:: Hard tick relapsing fever (Borrelia miyamotoi), Borrelia mayonii, and beyond. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022;36(3):689-701. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2022.04.002
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
87478
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| BMIYC | Borrelia miyamotoi Detection PCR, C | 82476-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 64969 | B. miyamotoi PCR, C | 82476-3 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Testing Algorithm
For more information see Acute Tick-Borne Disease Testing Algorithm
mml-tickborne, mml-mbid-cnsinfections