posted
Hi, I recently got my blood tests back from IgeneX. I was negative for lyme and babesia, but my IgG for bartonella came back positive/elevated, which makes sense, because all my symptoms and skin problems ( stretch marks) point to this. What is the difference between IgG and IgM bands?? Thanks!!
Posts: 188 | From Winnipeg | Registered: Dec 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
From Dr. C's explanation of the Western Blot:
"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."
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks TF!!
Posts: 188 | From Winnipeg | Registered: Dec 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Did you have ANY positive bands on those "negative" tests for lyme. Babesia does not always test accurately. A negative test does not necessarily mean a person is negative for lyme.
I hope you have an excellent LLMD diagnostician who will assess your clinically. Now, I do hope that bartonella is all that you are dealing with, but it's just important to be as sure as possible and even the best tests are just not always all that good.
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With thanks to Robin123 for finding this at CanLyme:
"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. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa.
Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.
But anyway, from my clinical experience, these borrelia associated bands usually predict a clinical change in symptoms with antibiotics, regardless of whether they are IgG or IgM." -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
When you test for bartonella and babesia are there "bands" that show up like a borelia test? How do they determine you have bart or babesia? I have IgM 41 and 23 for borelia but suspect I have co-infections. Lots of muscle/tendon/nerve/ligament and headache issues.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
I believe if they are above normal titres. My bart titre was over 4X the limit. And keebler, my only positive band was 41 ++
Posts: 188 | From Winnipeg | Registered: Dec 2009
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