Immunosciences Lab recently came out with a highly touted new & improved MultiPeptide ELISA assay -- an in vivo induced antigen technology.
They claim multiple advantages over Western Blot testing of Lyme. "Based on 200 specimens from patients with Lyme disease and more thatn 200 samples of healthy controls, the sensitivity of the MultiPeptide ELISA assay was found to be more than 80%, with a specificity > 95%."
I was diagnosed CDC positive via Igenex Western Blot testing in Nov 2005. I have done about 5 three week courses of antibiotics since the diagnosis. I feel better, esp when I'm on antibiotics but I don't feel cured in any way.
I did the "Cadillac" version of Immunosciences MultiPeptide ELISA: the Immunoserology and Cellular Immunology of Lyme Disease, panel C.
This panel tests about 43 different values including: IgM and IgG of six viruses; IgM and IgG of different Borrelia strains, different amtigens of Borrelia, and Babesia, Erlichia, Bartonella.
Everything was negative except 4 values: Lyme TNF A Medium = 1703, nl=0 to 1000 TNF A Lyme Antigen A+B =>5000, nl=0 to 1000 IL 10 Lyme Antigen A+B = 2182, nl= 0 to 1500 IgG Epstein- Barr VCA = 391, nl = <100.I had mono in college.
I will try and call the lab to discuss the results but at first glance, I am not so impressed with their multi-peptide ELISA testing.
Does anyone have any expericence with this test? Did you have similar negative results? Can you give any insight why they didn't pick up my lyme --except via the cellular immunology portion?
My preliminary research tells me that nettle leaf and quercitin will lower TNF A. But do I want to lower them? Esp if I have minimal pain? Don't the elevated levels indicate my immune response to the infection?
I'd appreciate anyone's words of wisdom?
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I was surprised at the way that my doctor interpreted my test results and I think my doctor is very knowledgable. Perhaps your doctor can shed more light on your test results.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Hopefully we'll hear more about this test in the future. Terry
[ 13. June 2006, 02:03 AM: Message edited by: TerryK ]
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Hubby is going to have this test done by his PCP on 6/20. Will share results later.
It is my understanding that the TNF is an inflammatory marker and needs to be lowered. I could be wrong though.
Mtnwoman,
Could you share with us the other things this test measured that were reported as normal for you. The website did not show a sample test and I am not exactly sure what different tests are available.
Thanks.
Bea Seibert
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Having heard of a number of tests promoted in the past as great improvements, which subsequently turned out not to be any better, I am inclined to take a wait and see attitude on this one also. Will be interesting to see what kind of results people are getting.
Not clear how this one will cope any better with changing antigenic profile, cyst form, or immune system not producing antibodies anymore.
Also, read snowflakes recent post on inflammation and CNS; looks to me like it is not obvious whether fooling around with cytokines will help or hinder when it comes to infectious diseases.
Posted by mtnwoman (Member # 8385) on :
It tested:
Lyme Antibodies Peptides: IgG and IgM Unrelated Spirochete IgG and IgM B.b lysate IgG and IgM OSP -A IgG and IgM OSP -E IgG and IgM LFA Antigen IgG and IgM Immunodominant Protein IgG and IgM Variable Major Protein IgG and IgM Borrelia Sensu Strict. IgG
Posted by mtnwoman (Member # 8385) on :
It tested:
Lyme Antibodies Peptides: IgG and IgM Unrelated Spirochete IgG and IgM B.b lysate IgG and IgM OSP -A IgG and IgM OSP -E IgG and IgM LFA Antigen IgG and IgM Immunodominant Protein IgG and IgM Variable Major Protein IgG and IgM Borrelia Sensu Strict. IgG and Igm B. Garinii Decorin BP IgG and IgM B. Afzelii Decorin BP IgG and IgM Babesia Peptide IgG and IgM Erlichia Peptide IgG and IgM Bartonella Peptide
Viral Screen: IgG and IgM Epstein Barr VCA IgG and IgM Cytomegalovirus IgG and IgM 1 Herpes Virus IgG and IgM 2 Herpes Virus IgG and IgM HHV-6 IgG Varicella Virus
MELIFA Test for Lyme: CD4+ Cell to Antigen A and to Antigen B
Lyme-Induce Cytokine Pro: Lyme TNF-A Medium TNF-A Lyme Antigen A+B Lyme IL-10 Medium IL-10 Lyme Antigen A+B
That's what Panel C tests.
Altho in Nov '05 I was CDC positive Igenex IgM WB, I was negative all the above EXCEPT for LymeTNF-A, TNF-A Lyme .
Some research last night told me that IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, whereas the TNF-A is pro-inflammatory.
Odd that Lyme only showed up on the Cellular Immunology portion. Perhaps this could be a "back-door" way to test for Lyme if folks others tests are normal?
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
What the heck is "Varicella virus"?
I think I will take Lou's position.
The old original Immunosciences "new" ELISA test was supposed to be so wonderful and didn't pan out that way at all.
Tracy
Posted by mtnwoman (Member # 8385) on :
Varicella virus is chickenpox or shingles, or post-herpetic neuralgia.
Odd that wasn't positive for me since I had chickenpox as a kid.
They did pick up the EBV I had in college.
Posted by tjtighe (Member # 4057) on :
Hi Robi. Check your PM from me.
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Thanks, mtnwoman...
I wonder if your EBV titers indicate a "chronic or reactivated" EBV infection, and anything below the 100 level would include exposure? Hard to tell. I have never had an EBV test that just measured one type of titer.
I have been tested for EBV twice, and got the "chronic/ reactivated infection" indication both times. And I never had momo.