The iSpot is an older test. The urine antigen test is the newest test, called the NanoTrap test. (link below) It was announced at the ILADS Conf. last fall with a lot of fan fare, but it is not yet widely available because....
....ILADS docs want to verify it first before giving their stamp of approval by keeping data on all of Lyme patients who are tested this way via a central data base.
I've forgotten which LLMD is acting as the central figure head in this effort, but I think it might be the current President of ILADS. Therefore, all Lyme urine antigen tests must be arranged for via this one central office for the purpose of data collection.
At least, this was my understanding about it although I might have missed hearing all of the important details about it.
I'm editing to add that the main advantage of this newest Lyme test is that it's supposed to be able to capture antigens from the very earliest days following a tick bite in order to avoid the unnecessary use of prophylactic antibiotics unless there is proof of an actual infection.
Keep in mind that not all ticks are infected with Borrelia, so not all tick bites cause Lyme disease unless the bite was from an infected tick.
Posted by emmett (Member # 41521) on :