For the B.Henselae IgG it came back as 40 which is on the borderline of active infection.
What do you guys think? Do I have Bart? Is this enough information to start treatment?
Thanks for your input! Fuel
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I was also 40 and all I know is, I respond positively when I treat Bart. So yes..I'd say you ahve it.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Treat according to your symptoms!
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Fuel1212,
I tested at 40 also through Igenex. Haven't treated yet--LLMD said that 40 is borderline but is willing to try treating and see what happens. She suggested that wait I wait 'til fall to treat since she wants me to treat with Doxy and Rifampin and summer sun and Doxy don't mix well.
Just curious, do you have any Bart symptoms? If so, what are they?
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I am not sure what the specific Bart symptoms are..
I have burning throughout my body especially my feet.
I have weird symptoms the night after exercising that day.. (Ears ringing, pain and tightness under left rib, shortness breath, weird smell (sometimes).
thanks for the responses so far I really appreciate it!
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
Does a +40 titer indicate there is no doubt bartonella, just not sure how bad the infection?
I am not real adversed in understanding titer readings
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Go to www.Igenex.com and click on updates and read their new interpretation requirements.
Formerly for Bart IGG < or = 1:40 considered neg.
Now <40 is negative.
My last test the result was 40 - so not negative - but not convincingly positive.
I see where others report results of 40. Anyone see a report higher than 40? I mean - what are the odds of so many 40's?
Under the old reporting system I was one time <1:40 and the next time =1:40 - both negative.
I also find it odd that on the Igenex website update >160 is listed - but the word "positive" is strangely missing there and for anything in between. What to think?
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I think you are misinterpreting the update.
They simply are dropping the "1:"
So..if you were 1:250 before you are now 250. If negative was <1:40 before, negative now is <40.
A positive before was 1:40. Positive now is 40.
The line hasn't changed. They just dropped the 1:
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
That's a good point bcb.
I think one thing I was trying to figure out, as well as susan is does a 40 or 1:40 mean that there is infection there?
It seems like everyone gets the 40 if they are not < negative.
Did anyone's LLMD see their Igenex results stating this and say "this is definitely Bart"
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
My IgG Bart Henselae result was the old format and it was 1:40 and it was flagged as "H" (meaning "high"), which means positive.
The reference range for negative was <40. I was <40 on my IgM and for Bart Quintana.
So if negative is <40 or <1:40, then 40 or greater is positive.
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
So I guess it is safe to say I have Bart?
I get confused when there are no bands with specific definitions.
The titers confuse me honestly. I guess they won't glow at all if there is no infection.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I'll be treating Bart with a Negative reading. If you have symptoms, treat. Screw the test. You have a borderline infection showing, that's reason enough to treat.
If you don't respond to tx maybe you don't have it, why chance it by not treating?
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I started Rifampin a few days ago 300mg daily(hope it's enough?)
First day was really tired in the middle if the day which is weird for me. Also, whole body ached and needed bath.
We will see?
Good stuff Fuel
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Fuel,
Are you taking just Rifampin or Rifampin and another antibiotic?
My LLMD says that I need to take Rifampin and Doxy.
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
Sorry, I should have told you everything..
I have been taking Ceftin 2000mg daily Azith 500mg daily and now the 300mg Rifampin
I have been on the ceftin/azith combo for about 8 months now
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
I was tested twice under the old format.
Stated on my report under interpretation:
B henselae IGG Antibodies: Titers of < or = 1:40 should be considered negative.
Aha - I think I now see the difference/confusion - the paragraphs above "interpretation".
The last sentence of the second paragraph includes "patients positive" for "Borr., Erlich., Babs., and normal controls by the B. Hens. IFA test - the IGG and IGM antibody titers for BH were <1:20 for IGM and <1:40 for IGG".
I'm too tired to type it all out. What exactly was Igenex trying to say? The paragraph implies 1:40 to be positive. The interpretation below it indicates 1:40 to be negative.
I have been tested three times and nowhere does it mention "high" or "positive" for my results.
I had an IGG of <1:40 and next one 1:40. The last one under new format was 40.
What gives?
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
There are like 24 other strains of Bart, they only test for 2. Treat the symptoms, the tests are not that reliable.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Mine said Igm 1:80 so that's definitely positive! And I have a lot of Bart symptoms to go w/ that positive. Posted by Toppers (Member # 20083) on :
=40 here. burning feet and crazy mental stuff, feeling awesome on levaquin. treat the symptoms.
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Toppers - how long have you been on Levaquin? Any tendon problems? You started feeling awesome once starting Levaquin - or it took a while? Did you feel worse before feeling better?
In regards to the < and = I think the confusion/difference is IFA vs "plain" antibodies.
If anyone can explain paragraph two of the results page for Bart. H Antibody G/M from the old format I would also like to know your IQ.
I don't think that paragraph starting, "In a study performed by Nadal et al ....." can be made sense of. It was written by a scientific mind?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)