Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
I asked this question in my post about DNA connexions, but probably no one responded because not many have had that test.
My real question is--since borellia, babesia and bartonella were found in urine, does that mean it's an active infection?
Before the test you're supposed to exercise or have deep tissue massage to release bacteria into urine, but I'm wondering if that might mean that they've just been hiding there and not really causing an active infection.
I don't have classic symptoms for bart and babs and never tested positive with Igenex for them.
I was hoping this would convince me that if they showed up in this DNA Connexions test that I would know I actually had those.
But I'm still doubting!
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
I forgot to mention that DNA Connexions test is a PCR test, not antibody.
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Basically it is a PCR test like we've been using, from a newer lab.
PCR tests are accurate IF it detects the organism. The problem is it is very difficult to pick it up, often requiring multiple tests over a time period. Galaxy Lab reports PCR's can miss the diagnosis up to 90% of the time.
From the Connexions Lab...
"A positive PCR result from the DNA Connexions Lyme test indicates the presence of DNA from B. burgdorferi and/or other co-infectors.
A negative result does not prove a patient is not infected with a tick borne infection, rather it indicates the absence of detectable Lyme and/or other tick borne co-infections.
A patients ability to fight the disease, stage of infection, and timing of courses of antibiotics are only some of the factors that may affect the detectability of the spirochetes DNA."
Once that threat is non-existent they can come back out in the open, entering the blood stream now and then, moving and grooving, and can continue to cause damage.
So in my opinion "hiding" would suggest an active infection that is currently dormant (not causing symptoms).
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
You said.. "My real question is--since borellia, babesia and bartonella were found in urine, does that mean it's an active infection?"
Based on my knowledge, and I am certainly not an expert...
There isn't any test for Bartonella on the market that can tell the difference between active infection or a past infection. I was recently communicating with a lab about this specific topic and they made it clear that you can't tell.
You can only tell there was an "exposure".
I guess my point is, no test I know of can make that distinction 100% for sure. I will toss Babesia and Lyme in that group now too.
Culture tests do seem to be useful, but again, the process isn't honed in enough to be without many false-negatives, often the larger percentage of those tested.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Yes, you've got me thinking.
You want to know if you take this test will it indicate you have an active infection or not.
If you do show a positive and haven't treated the specific disease causing organisms (you said no symptoms, so assuming you weren't treated for Babesia and Bartonella yet), my guess would be yes, it is active.
Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Thanks for all your thoughts Tincup.
I do have symptoms, just not classic ones for babesia.
I was so hoping this test would show up negative for me and I could give up anymore treatment.
I'm trying to decide whether to take the mepron that was offered to me before I took this test on my own. LLMD thought I MIGHT have babs.
My LLMD didn't know enough about the test when I mentioned it to her to recommend it, so just decided to do it on my own since I didn't need MD order for it.
I'm still a little puzzled about the bacteria coming out after deep massage. I'd like to do it again without the massage! Not really--very pricey.
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
quote:Originally posted by Tincup: You said.. "My real question is--since borellia, babesia and bartonella were found in urine, does that mean it's an active infection?"
Based on my knowledge, and I am certainly not an expert...
There isn't any test for Bartonella on the market that can tell the difference between active infection or a past infection. I was recently communicating with a lab about this specific topic and they made it clear that you can't tell.
You can only tell there was an "exposure".
I guess my point is, no test I know of can make that distinction 100% for sure. I will toss Babesia and Lyme in that group now too.
Culture tests do seem to be useful, but again, the process isn't honed in enough to be without many false-negatives, often the larger percentage of those tested.
So, if you can answer, TC: Was it Galaxy Labs that said that no test, including PCR (or even culture test) can tell if you have an active infection vs prior exposure/infection??
I know that that is true with antibody tests, like the Western Blot. But that is also true for PCR??
I assume that that is NOT the case for a positive culture test, which Galaxy doesn't do.
However, as you said, getting a negative test result does NOT mean that you don't have the pathogen and an active infection.
BTW, I've never before tested positive for Bart or Babs, even though it is clear that I have both. BUT, I finally tested positive for Bart by PCR last month.
I thought that PCR did indicate an active infection. I do need to treat, however, haven't had adequate treatment and have very serious escalating symptoms. (Not to hijack the thread).
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
up for Tincup.
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