Nanotrap Lyme Test: Early Research Into Urine Detection
The Nanotrap Lyme test uses urine-based antigen detection.
Researchers explored whether OspA proteins could improve Lyme disease detection.
The technology gained attention because of broader infectious disease applications.
Ceres Nanosciences marketed the Nanotrap® Lyme test as a urine-based antigen detection tool designed to identify Borrelia burgdorferi proteins directly rather than relying solely on antibody testing.
The company described the Nanotrap Lyme test as “a game changing tool for Lyme disease diagnosis.” The test was promoted as a noninvasive method intended to improve detection across different stages of Lyme disease.
Researchers from George Mason University developed the Nanotrap technology with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), DARPA, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Nanotrap Lyme test focused on detecting Outer surface Protein A (OspA) in urine samples. OspA is commonly expressed by Borrelia burgdorferi within ticks before feeding.
According to a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, urinary OspA was identified in patients suspected of having early or recurrent Lyme disease and was absent in healthy endemic-area controls.
The investigators reported that the Nanotrap Lyme test detected OspA in 24 of 24 patients with erythema migrans before treatment. None of the untreated control subjects tested positive.
The study also suggested a possible role for monitoring treatment response. Patients whose erythema migrans rash persisted continued to demonstrate detectable urinary OspA, while patients with clinical improvement no longer showed urinary antigen detection.
The authors proposed that the Nanotrap Lyme test might eventually help clinicians evaluate therapeutic response in selected patients.
Researchers also explored whether urinary OspA detection could provide evidence supporting persistent infection in some chronic Lyme disease patients. However, the investigators acknowledged that additional validation studies were required.
Ceres later clarified that Gates Foundation funding supported broader infectious disease applications of the underlying Nanotrap platform, including malaria, Ebola, and tuberculosis testing, rather than directly funding Lyme disease testing itself.
Nonetheless, the Nanotrap Lyme test attracted significant attention because of its attempt to directly detect Lyme-related antigenic material in urine samples.
It is important to note that the Nanotrap Lyme test remains an early investigational technology. Much of the published work involved laboratory-based research and preliminary clinical observations, and the test has not become part of standard Lyme disease diagnostic practice. The article is best viewed as part of the historical effort to develop more sensitive direct-detection methods for Lyme disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nanotrap Lyme test?
The Nanotrap Lyme test is a urine-based antigen detection method designed to identify proteins from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium associated with Lyme disease.
Does the Nanotrap Lyme test use antibodies?
No. The Nanotrap Lyme test was designed to detect bacterial antigen directly rather than relying entirely on antibody production.
Why was the Bill Gates Foundation mentioned?
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supported broader development of the Nanotrap technology platform for infectious disease testing applications, although not specifically for Lyme disease testing.
Can the Nanotrap Lyme test monitor treatment response?
Early studies suggested urinary OspA levels might correlate with treatment response in some patients, but further validation studies were needed.
Is the Nanotrap Lyme test widely available?
The Nanotrap Lyme test generated significant interest, but clinical availability and validation have remained limited compared with standard Lyme disease testing approaches.
Clinical Takeaway
The Nanotrap Lyme test represented an effort to improve Lyme disease detection through direct antigen identification rather than relying solely on antibody-based testing.
Although additional validation was needed, the technology highlighted ongoing efforts to develop more sensitive diagnostic tools for Lyme disease and treatment monitoring.
Direct antigen detection remains an important area of investigation in Lyme disease diagnostics.
Related Articles
New Lyme blood test
Lyme disease testing
Delayed Lyme disease diagnosis
Persistent Lyme disease
Lyme disease symptoms guide
References
- Ceres Nanosciences. Ceres Nanosciences.
- Magni R, Espina BH, Shah K, et al. Application of Nanotrap technology for high sensitivity measurement of urinary outer surface protein A carboxyl-terminus domain in early stage Lyme borreliosis. J Transl Med. 2015;13:346.
- Smith RP, Schoen RT, Rahn DW, et al. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of early Lyme disease in patients with microbiologically confirmed erythema migrans. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(6):421-428.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
Is this test available? If so how can I get tested ?
You will receive an email with directions and forms for completing the test order and enrolling in the study.
You and your physician must complete all documentation required to obtain the test. Ceres will not send a collection kit until the forms are completed by your physician.
Instructions will be provided with the shipping kit. NOTE: shipping costs for sending the sample to Ceres are patient’s responsibility.
The Lyme Antigen Test costs $400 and is not be covered by insurance. Ceres only accepts credit card payments.
Test results may be reported out within 7-14 days of receipt of samples. Test results will be provided directly to your physician. You must consult with your physician to receive and interpret results.
Please direct all inquiries about order process to in**@*******no.com
Sorry what is the link to click to sign up for the study ? are canadians eligible?
Order form
Can the test be sent to Canada and would Naturopathic doctors be considered as physicians?
This All Thinks Lyme blog reviewed a key article. You would have to contact their website to answer the eligibility requirement.
Does the test work for late stage post treatment
Thanks for asking. I am not a member of the research group. I do not believe they have worked out the chronic illness question as of the 2014 publication of the 2015 article reviewed.
The following clarification has been provided by Ceres. “Ceres Nanosciences received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to apply the underlying Nanotrap® technology platform to areas of infectious disease testing for global health needs. This funding was used to successfully adapt the Nanotrap® technology to detect malaria in saliva, Ebola in saliva, and tuberculosis in urine. The researchers showed that they could convert existing blood based tests to work with saliva and/or make existing tests 10-100 times more sensitive by using our Nanotrap® technology to enrich samples prior to testing. Thus, providing earlier and more reliable detection of these diseases.”
Concurrently, Ceres Nanosciences has been adapting the same Nanotrap® technology to detect Lyme disease in urine. The testing for Lyme follows a similar approach to the global health tests, and leverages the same underlying particle technology and concepts.
However, that program is not directly receiving funding support from the Gates foundation.
Doctors and their Lyme disease patients appreciate the support provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation towards the Nanotrap® technology.
A new website just for the Lyme test, where information can be obtained at http://www.lymedx.com. Their home site has broader information about the technology and other applications beyond Lyme.
This is amazing! i don’t understand why it’s not being funded any longer.
It’s a shame that Bill and Melinda don’t understand the scope of the global Lyme epidemic.
Hopefully these types of blogs will help.
Does the test just prove an infection with lyme or does it show if the infection is active?
Would like to know if the test can confirm /exclude a suspected chronical lyme disease.
Thanks in advance
The leading tests e.g. Western blot measure past infection and not whether the infection is active.
Why aren’t they doing the blood with ultra light and clean out the blood. Mine is in muscles so it doesn’t show up in blood tests, all need to cure this horrible disease…. they are SO quick to run with MS
Ultralight therapy falls in the group of new techniques that need further study. It may be difficult to clear an infection that is tissues beyond the blood.
Then what if you show positive what treatment do they do? I had a msucl biopsy and oral antibiotics didn’t do anything that I thought, now it’s eating away my muscles cartilage in my knee, hips back, everything is CASH!
Why can’t we find Dr’s and tests that will work for insurance companies. It’s supposed to be ABOUT CARE! Now it seems it’s about books, lectures cash!so much for the Oath doctors take to help us who are really sick and NOT famous or wealthy so another words F —- You….
Great! I. Would be in study is it free and where is it? It should be in areas all around, especially NY
Shame ,totally disgusted by the care in NY! It’s all about The Who have and who hav not, if you do not have money oh well, it’s a dam shame how Business is now the medical field …we need MORE Over seas Doctors and Holistic treatments . All should work together. It may not buy you a Féria tho!
Smirk
Hi. My name is Steven and I stay in Scotland. Can I purchase this test in the UK as I have been struggling for the past 20 years with symptoms that match Lymes Diesease and I’m currently suffering with low self esteem as I have been let down by so many medical professionals, that no one believes me and been “fobbed off
“
I reviewed the paper but have not used the test. The paper shows the lengths the doctors have gone to find a reliable test. I am not sure the test is available.
Yes you can get it in Europe- https://www.google.com/amp/s/caudwelllyme.com/2017/08/21/a-new-lyme-disease-urine-test-now-available-in-europe/amp/
Hello Steven, Came across your comment while researching new technologies to test for Lyme. I live in Massachusetts and Lyme is really bad here. I know several people that have it and most of them did not know for a long time while suffering through the symptoms. I hope you’re able to get tested soon. I also suggest you continue your research on places like You Tube. Though I found scarce mention of this particular test I did finally discover a video that took me hear and I’m hopeful that I can get tested myself and help as many people as I can with this information if it works. Last year at this time I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It was a complete surprise to me because though I had symptoms I thought they where related to something else, and I honestly thought I wasnt eating badly, and was otherwise in good shape. My Doctor and Nutritionist recommended a low cal diet based on the traditional American diet (see Food Pyramid). I did my own research and found a lot of contradictory information and decided not to follow there advice and went in a different direction. I decided to try KETO and intermittent fasting. Between March and June I went from 220 down to 170lbs. It wasn’t easy at first but It turned out to be a lot easier then I thought, and now, I really like eating this way. I just had my yearly physical and to my Doctors amazement he reported that not only was I no longer Diabetic, but also that my blood pressure ( which was always high and difficult to treat) had dropped to normal. The reason I’m commenting, is you cant trust your Doctors to give you the information you really need to help yourself. They make recommendations based on a lot of bad studies and can be very closed minded about newer and counter studies and technology that contradict what they have believed.You can educate yourself. You might find the best Doctor to help you with your health and mental concerns is yourself. One last thing is that whether your problem is Lyme or not, don’t underestimate the power of self healing by eating right. A great You Tube Video regarding how eating can effect dramatically physical and mental health can be found on you tube by searching “Joe Rogan/Jordan Peterson Interview Carnivore Diet”.This is not meant to be a recommendation for a particular diet, its just a powerful story about about Peterson and his daughters experience with terrible illnesses and with little medical relief until they changed the way they where eating.Really hope this helps and TAKE CARE of YOURSELF.
$400 for just an OspA for Bb…, when a more accurate DNA-PCR for several different Borrelia, plus Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and other coinfections (11 total) costs $500…?
I’m feeling a little underwhelmed and like we’re headed in the wrong direction.
I agree. I don’t get it. What does the Lyme community have against the DNA test? So many people in my Lyme FB group have been evaluated using it and it was fast and easy
The Nanotrap is still in developement. We were offered (by Columbia U’s Lyme research clinic) the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial. That was an easy yes. We paid $400 and now are waiting for the results. Even if it doesn’t work for our daughter, we hope it helps the cause!
I’m writing from Italy. I’m looking for a test that can day of the infection Is active, not just finding DNA. Where to buy?
Most tests tell exposure but not whether the disease is active.
What is the cost for the Lyme NanoTrap test? I understand it’s out of pocket.
Also, I agree with the above comment about DNA testing. Why adapt the nanotrap technology for Lyme when DNACONNEXIONS already has a $500 test that covers Lyme+ common coinfections?
I know there haven’t been enough verified studies on th DNA Connexions test. But from my Lyme group, so many people have been correctly diagnosed with this test. It’s fast, easy (there’s even a home superfloss kit), and relatively cheap.
Why doesn’t DNA testing get more credit & proponents ?