I don't know if the MDL western blot is positive or negative. Also, does a IGM from IGeneX mean that you have a current infection.
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
IgG and IgM in Lyme tend to be cyclical. Presence of a positive IgG OR IgM is enough to suggest likely active infection. Otherwise, both IgG and IgM would become negative after some period of time for the most part. You cannot, however, look at one or the other to get an idea of whether it is past or present infection like you can with most other known diseases.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Wow! I wouldn't worry about MDL since the Igenex is pretty clear cut.
QUOTE: "One of my hopes is that doctors will someday realize that this controversy is a signal for them to search for the truth. Why is there such conflict in this very "political" disease if there is not substance for disagreement? Both IgG and IgM Western blots should be done for borreliosis.
With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years. Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies. Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa."
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
you have unquestionably been exposed to Bb and probably have at least a latent infection.
however, please keep in mind that positive serology does not always equate to positive symptomology. you might have an asymptomatic infection with supervening illness of another unrelated etiology.
other testing including MRI, SPECT, CSF examination, EMG, etc, should be performed to help clarify the picture and also serology to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms before proceeding to therapy for lyme borreliosis.