LymeNet Flash: IGM vs IGG what are the difference? do you need both whichis more creidtable

This is topic IGM vs IGG what are the difference? do you need both whichis more creidtable in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by shelly23 (Member # 16124) on :

What is the difference? I got IGM positive for CDC and Igenec what is IGG???????? [bonk]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

All answers found here:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=042077

Either is credible.... positive IgM is more likely in chronic Lyme.

NO, you don't need both...either is just fine and dandy! [Cool]

Posted by FreakShow (Member # 16200) on :

I thought IGG meant Chronic Lyme?

Posted by hopeandhealth (Member # 17605) on :

I thought IgG was also?

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

NOPE, not with Lyme ... read what Dr C says in the link above. Either one can be positive, but more lyme patients have positive IgM's than IgG's.

From Dr C's link:

"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."

Please print out Dr C's WB explanation and read it several times. You'll be amazed by what you learn.

Also print out all of the replies to the original post. TONS of information there as well.

Posted by soonermom (Member # 14494) on :

Shelly, trying to respond to your PM and your mailbox is full!!