TNMU Continues Research on Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis and Trials of a Rapid Lyme Disease Test
Scientists at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University continue their work on studying the epidemiology, clinical features, and prevention of Lyme borreliosis among residents of Ternopil region and forestry workers in Rivne, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv regions of Ukraine. They are also conducting trials of the AcuDart™ Lyme Rapid Home Test for Lyme disease.
The dedicated work of our researchers was recognized on August 5, 2025, with a special acknowledgment from the leadership of ID-FISH Technology (Milpitas, USA) for their efficient work and timely delivery of patient and forestry worker sera to the laboratory.
From November 5, 2024, to July 16, 2025, scientists from the Department of Infectious Diseases with Epidemiology, Dermatology, and Venereology at TNMU conducted trials of the AcuDart™ Lyme Rapid Home Test, a non-automated in vitro immunochromatographic self-test for qualitative detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi in capillary whole blood of individuals showing signs and symptoms of Lyme borreliosis.
In total, 261 residents of Ternopil region with clinical signs of Lyme borreliosis and 228 forestry workers from Rivne, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv regions were examined. The research was conducted as part of a joint scientific project with the ID-FISH Technology laboratory.
The rapid test trial was carried out in three stages:
Capillary blood sampling and visual evaluation of the test.
Capillary blood was collected by senior lab technician Maria Matesiuk.
Visual evaluation of the AcuDart™ Lyme Rapid Home Test was conducted by Associate Professors Zoryana Smahliy and Liliya Hrytsishyn.
Venous blood collection with subsequent visual evaluation.
Venous blood was collected by senior lab technician Olha Kolodiy, assisted by second-year dermatology-venereology intern Anastasiia Palchasta.
Visual evaluation was performed by PhD, Assistant Professor Maryana Huk.
Analysis of test cassettes with capillary and venous blood using the Acudart Lyme LFA – iPeak Reader, which visualizes and quantitatively assesses results by detecting control and test lines relative to background.
Reading of the test cassettes was performed by postgraduate student Roksolana Humennа.
In parallel with the test trials, researchers conducted surveys of 228 forestry workers and 261 patients with clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Participants provided information on tick bite locations, removal methods, tick testing for Lyme disease pathogens, complaints after bites, use of repellents, skin inspections after forest exposure, and self-assessment of knowledge regarding Lyme borreliosis and need for further education on its prevention and clinical signs.
Forestry worker surveys were conducted by Professor Maria Shkilna.
Patient surveys were conducted by Associate Professors Oleh Ivakhiv and Natalia Vyshnevska.
The project received high praise from a delegation of Lisy Ukrayiny employees during their visit to TNMU, including the Head of the Occupational Safety and Civil Protection Department Andrii Musiievskyi, occupational safety managers Oleksandr Borovytskyi and Natalia Zhurienko, and Head of Occupational Safety and Civil Protection, Podilskiy Forestry Office, Olena Shkatko.
Project participants express personal gratitude to TNMU leadership – Rector Mykhailo Korda and Vice-Rectors Stepan Zaporozhan, Ivan Klishch, and Oleh Slabyi – for active support in preparing and conducting the examinations. Special thanks are extended to Andrii Musiievskyi, Head of the Occupational Safety and Civil Protection Department at Lisy Ukrayiny.