False-positive Lyme serology can be caused by infection with which organism?

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Prepare for the CMS II Rheumatology E1 Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

False-positive Lyme serology can be caused by infection with which organism?

Explanation:
Lyme serology detects antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, but antibodies from other infections can cross-react with Borrelia antigens used in the test. Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, is a related spirochete with shared antigenic determinants, so infection with T. pallidum can trigger antibodies that bind Borrelia antigens and yield a false-positive Lyme result. In contrast, organisms like Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli are not spirochetes and do not typically cause this cross-reactivity in Lyme assays.

Lyme serology detects antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, but antibodies from other infections can cross-react with Borrelia antigens used in the test. Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, is a related spirochete with shared antigenic determinants, so infection with T. pallidum can trigger antibodies that bind Borrelia antigens and yield a false-positive Lyme result. In contrast, organisms like Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli are not spirochetes and do not typically cause this cross-reactivity in Lyme assays.

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