LymeNet Flash: Have you ever had conflicting lab reports for Bartonella or other coinfections?

This is topic Have you ever had conflicting lab reports for Bartonella or other coinfections? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by cristine04 (Member # 5078) on :

Hello fellow lymies,

So I got a positive bartonella lab from Igenex and a negative one from MedLab. Sound familiar? I also tested positive for erhlichiosis, but there was no confusion on that one.

Anyone had similar situations or have some advice?? Most likely I'll do a redraw but to which lab?! I know it's so important b/c the prescence of co-infections determines so much as per treatment.

Happy Saturday,
cristine

Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :

Hi Cristine,
I'm certainly not an authority on testing, but I'll share a couple thoughts. I'm sure others will have suggestions, too.

Both labs are reliable but tests results can vary.
If you have Bartonella symptoms, then
I would go with the Positive test from IGeneX for several reasons.

1)They are a very reliable lab, specializing in Tick-Borne Diseases.

2)LDF brochure says: False Negative tests occur due to numerous reasons (lists 6-8).
False Positive tests occur due to 2 reasons:
test failure or cross-reacting antiboides (e.g.syphillis, periodontal disease).

(Edit: just realized this info is for Lyme testing, but same info may possibly apply to other tick-borne diseases. Don't know.)

Did both labs run the same test?
Antibodies(igg/igm) or PCR?
Do you have many of the Bartonella symptoms?

I was given this explanation for PCR tests:
If you throw ping-pong balls in a pool, then dip up a bucket of water....
You may get some ping-pong balls. This would be like getting a positive test result for the DNA of the bacteria.
OR you may not get any ping-pong balls. This would be like a negative test, but it would not prove that there were NO ping-pong balls present.....just didn't get any with that bucket (or blood draw).

[This message has been edited by cbb (edited 11 January 2004).]

Posted by cristine04 (Member # 5078) on :

Thank you! I am just about sure it was an IgM antibody that showed up for Bartonella. I get confused with regard to Bart symptoms because they seem to be the same as lyme symptoms. Although I do have particularly bad gut problems which I've been told can be a Bart problem.

Looking forward to more input!
cristine

Posted by lymewarrior03 (Member # 3891) on :

Cbb, I like that description on test results, will have to remember the analogy!

Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :

I was tested 3 times over 1 1/2 years for Babesia, with clear clinical symptoms. Only tested positive the last time. Have responded to treatment, so the positive was definitely not a false positive.

It is distressing to me that I went all this time, not responding to Lyme treatment, as I was suffering from a coinfection which was undiagnosed and untreated.

In my opinion, testing for coinfections is about as accurate as Lyme testing.

Hummm, wonder what else I have?

Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :

Don't know how much reading you've done here on LymeNet.

Have you read "Bartonella Alert" ?
Tincup compiled info from 150 - 200 pages on Bartonella. It's the most detailed info I've found on Bart. http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/008362.html
(Edit: left out a slash the 1st time)

There's also some info in Dr B's Guidelines. www.ilads.org
Click 'Articles & Presentations' for "Diag Hints & Treat Guidelines...2002" - printed, it's about 32 pages; excellent info.
pages 4-5 & 23-24: Co-infections & Bart info

Again, if it were me, I'd go with the Positive result & consider myself lucky to have gotten that.

[This message has been edited by cbb (edited 11 January 2004).]

Posted by cootiegirl (Member # 3216) on :

Hi!
I think most of us are walking conflicts LOL! That's what makes diagnosing and treating these darn diseases so frustrating. We are postive one minute and negative the next. I have bartonella, was treated for that as well as babesia. My bloodtests for bartonella consistently come back negative, but I have a postive PCR of my spinal fluid for bartonella. Guess where these darn cooties are living! Lyme tests, same thing, I've had positives, negatives and equivocals....drives me nuts! And my postive was not from Igenex....

So you are not alone in this frustrating journey....
cootiegirl

Posted by mjbucuk (Member # 843) on :

I am confused. I do not see bartonella as a test provided for by Igenex. MDL says they offer a PCR test.

Are there other places and/or test for Bartonella?

Ok, I just found Bartonella listed on the requisition form for Igenex. Quest does Bartonella too.

[This message has been edited by mjbucuk (edited 01 July 2004).]

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