Does anyone know anything about the "epitope tests" Igenix does?
My dr recommended I get one on band 31 since my results came back as "inconclusive".
The IgM 31 Epitope test came back as POSITIVE.
Just curious if anyone has any insight into this test.
Thanks,
Drew
Posted by nspiker (Member # 22824) on :
I had the same result. From my understanding, the 31 epitope is definite for lyme. Band 31 on the igenex test has cross-reactivity with viruses. The 31 epitope does not.
Last week I attended a lyme conference and spoke with the Igenex people, as well as Dr. H., and they were infatic that the 31 epitope is lyme only.
I still question the whole thing, because if the 31 epitope is only lyme, then why is it not used for Band 31, on the original test?
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
As far as we know, so far (barring any discoveries), band 31 is only Lyme.
The reason a virus can make band 31 show up on a Western Blot is that there is a viral antibody/protein/whatever-it-is that, when it folds onto itself, looks just like the Lyme antibody detected in band 31.
So it's not that band 31 actually does cross react with a virus, it's that when the viral thing they are detecting is folded, it shows up as band 31 on a Western Blot.
That is why the band 31 test exists.
So I would believe the results of the 31 test....so you have exposure to Lyme. Then it's just a matter of making sure your symptoms are also due to Lyme and not other conditions.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
Nspiker brings up an interesting point. Why doesn't Igenex automatically do the epitope test on WBs, if band 31 is positive?
Is it just a way to charge more for an additional test?
Based on the prices Igenex charges already, seems like they should throw in the epitope test for free on the WB...
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I believe it is useful for clinical testing/records but really has not much value to patients.
As many received the vaccine it may show up in the 31 band.
So to try to prove which it is I think they came up with that. But it is to my understanding not all inclusive.
If you have virus', etc. it can be rendered neg.
That does not mean you don't have Lyme. And it does not mean you got it from the vaccine.
Mine was neg. but it is definite Lyme.
Posted by Annelet (Member # 13503) on :
IgM **Band 31+ **Band 41+
IgG **Band 31+ **Band 34 IND **Band 39 + **Band 41 ++ Band 58 + Band 66 +
As I understand it, the 31 epitope test is not indicated here, since the IgG clearly shows 4 Lyme specific bands
Am I right?
Posted by jwall (Member # 22999) on :
What about band 34? Can it be positive because of a virus or is this only lyme? I am STILL questioning my diagnosis. I also have positive 31, 41, 58, 39IND.
Posted by Annelet (Member # 13503) on :
Please can anyone answer my question?
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
31 abd 34 are so specific for lyme they tried to make a vaccine out of it.
If you have both (like me) you have lyme. They take a year to show up.
Posted by NanaB (Member # 26227) on :
I am reading "Everything You Need to Know About Lyme Disease and other tick-borne disorders" by Karen Vanderhoof-forschner. It explains some about the differing bands that shows you are positive but does not address the 31 KDA Epitope tests. I suppose these tests were added after her last book was printed (2003). In the case of my daughter and I, we were told that the tests were run because results on band 31 were either borderline or a weak positive, and that the 31 Epitope confirmatory tests has "95% sensitivity and 98% specificity for late Lyme disease".