Researchers at UCLA's California NanoSystems Institute have developed a groundbreaking rapid testing technology for Lyme disease that delivers results in just 20 minutes using artificial intelligence.

This innovative testing method employs lab-made peptides to identify unique antibodies linked to Lyme disease, offering a detailed profile of the immune response.

In a study published in Nature Communications, the AI-enhanced test showcased impressive results, achieving 95.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity in detecting Lyme disease.

Designed to be portable and cost-effective, the new test could enable same-day detection in clinics or even at home.

Current CDC-recommended testing methods for Lyme disease involve a two-tiered approach that can take one to two weeks for results and often misses 70% of early-stage cases.

Lyme disease, caused by a spiral bacterium from infected deer ticks, is projected to affect over 600,000 individuals in the U.S. this year, leading to symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and rashes.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in severe long-term effects, including paralysis and cognitive issues.

The new test aims to minimize diagnostic errors and enhance the speed of Lyme disease detection, with future plans to simplify the process further and adapt it for whole blood samples.

To develop this technology, researchers collaborated with the Bay Area Lyme Foundation and the CDC to obtain well-characterized samples for training the AI algorithm.

The advancement of this rapid diagnostic technology for Lyme disease holds the potential to streamline both testing and treatment.