posted
About 8 months ago before I started abx I had a co infection panel done from Labcorp.
It came back negative for Bart and Bab, but I don't feel comfortable with that. Is Labcorp decent?
I was thinking about having a full co panel from Igenex. Do I need to stop abx?
Is there a better facility than Igenex to get co testing?
Would love your input Fuel
-------------------- IgM- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgM- 41+
IgG- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgG- 41++ Posts: 610 | From Lymeville | Registered: Nov 2010
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fflutterby
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28081
posted
I got a positive anaplasma and bart from MDL.
-------------------- Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength Posts: 1367 | From North Jersey | Registered: Sep 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
You don't need to stop antibiotics for coinfection testing.
I think Igenex is the best.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
Don't be disappointed if they come up negative.
From the Lyme MD of Maryland blog:
The reports of Lyme are based on CDC surveillance criteria. So how does Babesia become reportable? Here the IDSA (discredited?) protocol is followed. Positive antibodies in the blood do not count. By the way, most LLMDs believe there are about 12 Babesia strains which are Lyme co-infections. The antibody test available in Maryland only tests for B. microti. It fails to test for B. duncati, which can only be tested by labs like IgeneX, and appears to be as common as B. microti. To make the IDSA cut, for reporting Babesiosis as a bonafide case, the blood sample of patients with positive antibodies also need to meet one of two other criteria. There has to be a positive PCR: this only works if you are testing for the right strain, or: you have to demonstrate a positive blood smear showing parasites inside red blood cells. The problem here is that Babesia frequently infects only 1% of red blood cells. Some texts report that study of blood smears can take up to two hours. The average tech at Labcorp or Quest has only a few minutes, at best, to study the smears. The smears are microscopically magnified to the 400 power. Many experts believe that 1000 magnification power with oil immersion is required to identify the pathogens. No wonder only one case of Babesia has been "reported."
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
I would not waste your money on an ignex panel for co-infections. I had it done and it all came back neg. I would treat based on symptoms.
Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Sep 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I didn't have any obvious symptoms of babesiosis and bartonella, but my lyme doc tested me for them through Igenex (at least 2 tests for each, and 2 for ehrlichia) and I was positive for both babs and bart.
So, we knew I had both that way. I never could gt rid of lyme treating just lyme with my previous doctor. With the new doctor and a complete diagnosis, I got rid of all of my diseases in 8 months, took meds for 5 more months, and I am well today.
It is over 6 years now since I completed my treatment.
Labcorp and Quest coinfection testing is basically useless.
If you get any positives through Igenex, that is very valuable information. But, if you get negatives, your doc should still treat you based on your symptoms.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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-------------------- IgM- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgM- 41+
IgG- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgG- 41++ Posts: 610 | From Lymeville | Registered: Nov 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yes, the complete co panel as you have it above, including IgG and IgM and FISH for babs.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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