Dr. Ann Salm explains tick-borne disease trends, testing strategies, and how modified two-tier testing improves Lyme diagnosis.
Tick-borne diseases are becoming an increasing concern across the United States, with rising case counts and expanding geographic spread. While Lyme disease remains the most recognized infection, clinicians are now facing a broader range of pathogens and more complex cases involving co-infections.
In this episode of The Results Are In from Quest Diagnostics, host Anne Freeman sits down with Dr. Ann Salm, PhD, Director and Medical Science Liaison Lead for Infectious Disease and Immunology at Quest. Together, they walk through the growing burden of tick-borne illness, the environmental and ecological factors driving its rise, and why accurate diagnosis is becoming more challenging.
They break down the importance of timing when selecting diagnostic tests, explaining when molecular testing versus serologic testing is most effective. The conversation also explores the evolution of Lyme disease testing, from standard two-tier testing to the modified two-tier approach, and how newer methods can improve early detection.
Listeners will also gain insight into co-infections like anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis, and how comprehensive testing panels can support better clinical decision-making. The episode highlights how providers can approach testing strategically to improve patient outcomes in an increasingly complex diagnostic landscape.
Don’t miss this practical and timely discussion on how testing advancements are shaping the future of tick-borne disease management.
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Abbreviations used in episode:
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
IgG: Immunoglobulin G
IgM: Immunoglobulin M
STTT: Standard Two-Tier Testing
MTTT: Modified Two-Tier Testing