On the Igenex lab report it says EBV (and other things) can result in a false positive. I remember calling Nick Harris several months ago and asking him which band is impacted, but can't find my notes. I think it was band 93?? Does that sound right?? I could be totally wrong. Does anyone else remember?
I am trying to avoid another phone call and not disrupting him further from his work, but I need to know. My primary care physician is now questioning my lyme diagnosis because of that one statement...even though only one band is impacted. I had several other positive bands.
If no one knows, then I will call the lab tomorrow and post what I learn here for the benefit of others who may also have EBV as a factor.
It would be good if Igenex would put that specific band information on the report itself. Not having it renders it skeptical to some doctors. I have had two doctors question the LLMD's diagnosis as a result.
Posted by Erica741 (Member # 15186) on :
It's the 30 & 31 bands. You can rule out a false positive from viruses on those bands by getting the "30-31 kDA confirmation" test.
Igenex usually can run these tests on your original blood sample for the western blots since the lab keeps your blood sample for a few months for any additional tests you request. I think you'd need to redraw after 3 months, but not sure.
Posted by jam338 (Member # 14002) on :
hi Erica,thanks. I remember asking Nick about the 30/31 bands as that was my understnading too, but he responded it is not conclusive, which made me wonder then why do it all. Surely in my brainfog I have misunderstood something. I really thought he said something about band 93 being the *tattle tail one*. I will call him tomorrow to see where I am getting this wrong.
My primary HMO is refusing to accept DrH's diagnosis based on those statements on the Igenex report and knowing I have high EBV titers for IgG and IgM. Just another reason to find a way to deny services.
Erica thanks for the help. You always come through for those in need, bless your heart!
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
Good to know. I'm awaiting the results of my Igenex test and I did have mono previously.
Posted by jam338 (Member # 14002) on :
I just called Igenex. He says it is bands 31 and 83/93 that can be impacted with false positives.
Posted by tainabell (Member # 18270) on :
Wait. Sorry to interrupt, but can someone clarify for me? My tests show positives 31, and 83-93 plus the near ubiquitous 41. Igenex is saying now that these bands can be false positives? Cross reactive with EBV?
Also, sorry to be stupid here, but can someone explain what the implications of Epstein Barr would be? How its treated, what it is?
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
When I talked to Igenex about this a while back, they told me that false positives from EBV would be unlikely unless the patient were having an acute mono infection. Even so, it would probably be wise to run the 31 confirmation. If you have 31 with a couple of other lyme specific bands, you can pretty much chalk your issues up to lyme....