We need a trap for the bugs. Somewhere on our bodies? Whereby it can be easily drawn and detected. Why is it easier to find in animals? COULD IT BE FILTERED BY IMPLANTING A FILTER FOR A MONTH AND REMOVED?
Posted by tcw (Member # 15698) on :
It is found easier in animals because the animals do not have to live through the detection process.
The bacteria has been cultured from the brains of Lyme infected humans, but they need to be finished with them first.
The bacteria are too small for something like a physical filter to work, so we are left with other methods:
Culture - the sampling for patients is painful, traumatic and is a risk for other infections. Cultures take a long time to find results and success is not always guaranteed. Usually used only in experiments, not for clinical use (ie. your doctor can not really order it).
PCR - can be run on blood, spinal fluid, urine, etc. It is very specific, but false negatives are likely. This test does not tell you if the bacteria that show up are live, dead or just fragments.
Western Blot - run on blood, this tests your immune systems reaction to the bacteria (not the bacteria itself). You can have a positive WB without live bacteria (either from prior infection or a vaccination), or you can have a negative test with live bacteria present.
ELISA/IEA - tests immune reaction similar to WB, but not as precise. Most often ordered by underinformed doctors and the choice of insurers.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Great explanation. I meant what if they filled a filter with something they love like Vitamin D and implanted it under the skin in same fashion they use to stretch skin for later grafting and catch them. Would they not migrate to the easiest food source? The way these darn things infect a host I think they would go for it. It makes sense to me.
Posted by janis1023 (Member # 15942) on :
The little parasites are alien invaders and this is War of the Body instead of War of the Worlds.