I just received my results from my WB test (done at Quest). The overall result was negative, but 2 of the bands were positive.
Does this mean I have Lyme? My PCP said that I was negative and not to worry.
Please explain what these bands mean.
B. Burgdorferi 18 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 23 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 28 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 30 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 39 kd (IGG) reactive B. Burgdorferi 41 kd (IGG) reactive B. Burgdorferi 45 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 58 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 66 kd (IGG) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 93 kd (IGG) nonreactive
B. Burgdorferi 23 kd (IGM) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 39 kd (IGM) nonreactive B. Burgdorferi 41 kd (IGM) nonreactive
I haven't seen a LLMD, yet. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Cindy Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Hi Cindy,
First, I have to say that I am not a doctor. Just a Lyme sufferer with alot of research under my belt, but I would always defer to a knowledgeable medical professional. That said, these are generally the bands that are said to be "specific" for Borrelia Burgdorferi:
18 23 30 31 34 37 39 83 93
Given that, the 41 is a non-issue generally. However, 39 is a Borrelia (Lyme) specific band. Thus, the presence of band 39 as reactive is suspect.
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis with tests to support a diagnosis but not required for it. Do you feel ill?
If this were me, I would do the following:
Re-run the Western Blot at IGenex. The reason I don't like the results you have posted unless there is more on the lab not shown here is that it does not show the level of reaction. It would be nice to see a report where they grade the level with ++++, +++, ++, etc. rather than just yes/no in this case.
I would also run IgG and IgM tests for Bartonella, Babesia Microti, Babesia-WA1 if you live on the west coast only, and Ehrlichia (HME and HGE).
The IGenex tests will give you a useful picture many times but again, Lyme is a clinical diagnosis and none of the tests are as good as we would like.
Best, Scott
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Scott is right. Just having band 39 means you have Lyme. The fact that you had this done by Quest makes it even more likely that you have it.
If you will get another test by Igenex, I'd bet lots of money your test will show many more bands. Also some of those "non reactive" bands will probably show up positive or "indeterminate" [which used to be called "equivocal."]
Read this and then be sure to read the link below this.
REASONS WHY A SERONEGATIVE TEST RESULT MIGHT OCCUR
1. Recent infection before immune response 2. Antibodies are in immune complexes 3. Spirochete encapsulated by host tissue (i.e. lymphocytic cell walls) 4. Spirochetes are deep in host tissue 5. Only blebs in body fluid; no whole organisms needed for PCR 6. No spirochetes in body fluid on day of test 7. Genetic heterogeneity (300 strains in U.S.) 8. Antigenic variability 9. Surface antigens change with temperature 10.Utilization of host protease instead of microbial protease 11.Spirochete in dormancy phase 12.Recent antibiotic treatment 13.Recent anti-inflammatory treatment 14.Concomitant infection with babesia may cause immunosuppression 15.Other causes of immunosuppression 16.Lab with poor technical capability for Lyme disease 17.Lab tests not standardized for late stage disease 18.Lab tests labeled "for investigational use only" 19.CDC criteria is epidemiological, not a diagnostic criteria
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