LymeNet Flash: Lyme PCR & Babesia results negative! How?

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Posted by ssaakk123 (Member # 7278) on :

Hi everyone. I'm confused...

My Western Blot tests at IGenex turned out positive for Lyme (as per Dr. Harris at IGenex said), and now my Lyme PCR and Babesia are both negative.

Dr. Harris suspected I have babesia too so that's why I got tested. Plus I just wanted to confirm Lyme so I did the PCR.

How do I go from here? Has anyone had such a thing happen? One test positive and the other negative! I've already started on doxy and waiting...Any ideas?

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

They are too totally different types of tests and a negative PCR test means nothing.

The Western blot looks for antibodies in your blood. The antibodies should be in almost any blood sample.

The PCR actually tests for the DNA of the Lyme or Babesia. That means that you have to have the organism, or a part of the organism, in the sample being tested. Kind of a needle in a haystack for many people.

Also, a Western Blot for Lyme tells you nothing about Babesia. They are testing for completley different organisms. And there are only tests for 2 of the many strains of Babesia, so many people will never have a positive result.

Posted by ssaakk123 (Member # 7278) on :

Thanks so very much for your reply Aniek.
So it's possible to have Lyme and be negative on these other tests huh?

I was told that I have some kind of infection in my blood that could be masking other results (like PCR and babesia). I just do not know what kind of infection...

Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :

Lyme PCR & Babesia results negative!

How?

Because the DNA for Babs or Bb just wasn't on the drop of blood on the slide that day..
could be allot of reasons for that.

If your Doc is truly LL, he will know this, and will not put much weight on anything except a POSITIVE PCR result, that (if done at an accredited lab for pcr testing)..
is proof positive of DNA hands down.

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :

All your bloodwrok can be neg for lyme and you still have it. That is why diagnosis should be clinical.

Lyme is a disease of the central nervous system and not the blood. It is believed that the bateria occationally migrate to other areas of the body via the blood so DNA (PCR test) can be found on occation in the blood. Also, dead bacteria are purged via the blood and then urine.

Mel

Posted by MammaLyme (Member # 1257) on :

Get yourself tested by Bowen Research lab. They can find all of the babs. They use the Buffy coat which is the best and your doctor will get the pitures of what is in your blood. Bowen just received their patent and is the best test around. We used all the other labs and have only used Bowen since 2001 when we found out about them from an LLMD.

They are in FL. Have your doctor call 1-727-937-9077 to set the doc up with their lab. They will send a kit to you. You will also fill out papers to state what tests have been done etc.

Go to www.lymediseaseinformation.com and look at the Pfizer pamphlet. This will show you the exact pictures Bowen shows for the coinfections. They can see all of the babs not just WA-1 or microti.

Posted by duke77 (Member # 5051) on :

ssaakk123,

I was confused a few years ago with my first Lyme tests I was the exact opposite of you. I tested negative on both WB tests only one band positive 18, but positive on PCR and LUAT. But like someone said the tests should be used as a backup to a clinical diagnosis. I had all of the symptoms textbook Lyme. Up to 50% of the people do not make antibodies.

It is kind of a double edged sword, insurance companies and the CDC don't want to standardize PCR testing, and say that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis but some ins. co. will not pay for MRI's or IV abx without a positive PCR.