Just curious if anyone had a CD-57 immune test by their LLMD while having a positive Western Blot?
My CD-57 score was 156. My LLMD said I should be easier to treat and that I had current/recent, (within a year) Lyme Disease. Also, I do have brain and spine lessions per MRI.
I read that CD-57 scores of 20-60 are indicative of active Lyme disease where scores > 60 start to suggest that the Lyme infection is less active. A normal test result would be > 200.
Also read that IgM is an indication of recent infection whereas IgG is an indictor of late infection.
Please let me know any thoughts.
Thanks,
Rob
Posted by Sojourner (Member # 9424) on :
Hi Rob,
Sure IgM can show recent infection, but many docs also believe that IgM can show chronic persistent (longstanding) infection as well.
For example, my daughter was probably infected 6 yrs ago, developed symptoms over time, was tested in May 07' and had a positive IgM.
As to the CD57, as others have cautioned, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Here is what happened to my husband (also MS dx'd). His first cd57 was 144, after a few months of more aggressive treatment, it dropped to 54.
Ironically, during this period of treatment he felt better.......our doc says that he often sees a drop in cd57 when treatment is ratchetted up and that the cd57 usually climbs again slowly over time.
So, good for you that your cd57 is high, but I don't necessarily think that it means all that much at this point in time.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
You should do a search on CD 57 here on lymenet.
It has been discussed quite a few times.
I didn't have mine tested until 10 months into antibiotic treatment and it was 100.
My LLMD explained to me that this was "good".
When I questioned the accuracy of the test as far as how I feel (after searching it here),
He admitted that while it is not an absolute marker it is one of the few tools they have.
While he was quick to point out that under 260 is below normal, he did agree to my statement
As that it is not an indicator as to how sick you feel.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I've never had a positive WB. But have all the symptoms of lyme and/or co-infections.
My CD57 is pretty low. The first time I went to see my LLMD it was 18. After a couple of months of treatment, it was at 20. Still very low.
I asked my LLMD what he thought of the CD57 test, and he told me that it COULD mean lyme, but he doesn't use it as a tool straightout. He said he's still deciding exactly what he thinks of it as there's still not enough evidence of it being a GOOD indicator of lyme. He does check my CD57 every once in a while though.
Posted by magaro (Member # 12948) on :
IGENEX and CDC Positive IGM Western Blot IGENEX Positive and CDC Nedative IGG Western Blot
MY CD-57 score on the same day as those tests was 22.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by savagek: Also read that IgM is an indication of recent infection whereas IgG is an indictor of late infection.
Not according to Dr C of MO:
"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.
Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.
But anyway, from my clinical experience, these borrelia associated bands usually predict a clinical change in symptoms with antibiotics, regardless of whether they are IgG or IgM."