Question of what constitutes a definitive diagnosis

[Guest guest]

I have just started reading the board again. I have a question about what

constitutes a definitive diagnosis that Lyme Disease is still present in

someone. What evidence is necessary to protect our physicians?

1) By symptoms alone? (As I believe the CDC recommends.)

2) By a positive ELISA test by itself?

3) By positive Western Blot test by itself?

4) By a positive PCR test based on a skin biopsy (the current most-reliable

test)

5) By a positive ELISA test confirmed by a positive Western Blot test?

6) By a positive CD-57 test confirmed by symptoms?

7) By the presence of Lyme Disease-specific proteins as detected via a spinal

tap test (or a later blood test based on the spinal tap research results)? (See

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0017287 )

8) IDSA, the CDC, and the insurance companies have no intention of accepting any

evidence at all.