posted
Everything I can find says that and IGM positive test is not appropriate for someone with the disease for longer than a few weeks. I have had this for at least one year and most likely 1 1/2 years.
So, why would the IGM be positive for three bands 23, 39 and 41. No bands present for the IGG
Posts: 347 | From WV | Registered: Jan 2007
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"that and IGM positive test is not appropriate for someone with the disease for longer than a few weeks."
Not true.
Western blots look for antibodies. These antibodies are made by your immune system.
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 Bb 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 Bb reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
I hope this helps you understand it a little clearer.
posted
I was sick for at least four years before I was tested. I was IgM positive and IgG negative. At www.canlyme.com, it states:
"In virtually all infections, the IgM class of antibody (immunoglobulin) appears first and therefore represents a marker for an early infection. In most immune models, the IgM antibody gives way to the well-known IgG antibody class, usually regarded as the major enduring antibody response in chronic infectious diseases or other immune models.
In almost all infection models, after just a few weeks, the IgM antibody level wanes to the point of being non-detectable and does not recur. However, a confounding fact in Bb infections is that the IgM antibody may persist for years, a very unusual situation in most disease states.
Logically, one would have to conclude that this reflects an ongoing reactivation or persisting and continually renewing infectious state of Bb infection. Most active diagnostic laboratories involved with LD tend to agree with this notion. Therefore, some clinics require that a positive IgM antibody be present in order to declare laboratory confirmation for an active LD case."
Posts: 16 | From Ohio | Registered: Sep 2006
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"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."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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