Topic: How reliable is ELISA/ Western blot for co-infections
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Or whatever test an infectious disease doctor would give you to test for the co infections like brucellosis and bartonella.
I got a "complete tick panel". I am not concerned about Bb and I know that is a very unreliable test. I am concerned about everything else. What can I expect? Will it all be negative?
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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steve1906
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-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
neff, such testing will be very unreliable. That is based on what Burrascano says.
He says the Igenex coinfection tests are unreliable also, so you know the one ID doc does will be even LESS reliable.
"Because standard Bartonella testing, either by serology or PCR, may not pick up this BLO, the blood test is very insensitive. Therefore, the diagnosis is a clinical one, based on the above points." (page 24)
regarding babesiosis: "Diagnostic tests are insensitive and problematic. There are at least thirteen, and possibly as many as two dozen Babesia forms found in ticks, yet we can currently only test for B. microti and WA-1 with our serologic and nuclear tests. Standard blood smears reportedly are reliable for only the first two weeks of infection, thus are not useful for diagnosing later infections...." (page 23)
"Testing is problematic with Ehrlichia, similar to the situation with Babesiosis. More species are known to be present in ticks than can be tested for with clinically available serologies and PCRs. In addition, serologies and PCRs are of unknown sensitivity and specificity." (page 25)
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Thanks Steve and TF. That is a very good site for explanations of different labs and testing Steve.
I was afraid I was wasting my time. If these come back negative I will just have to fly to see Dr. F. The NP said she would do IGENEX tests for me if these come back negative but I don't think she is going to actually treat anything.
I won't get my expectations up. I will just plan to travel. This is so frustrating.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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GretaM
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Member # 40917
posted
I am walking bartonella and both ELISAs for b quintana and b henslae were neg.
Was also covered in petechiae and textbook RMSF but ELISA was negative.
Through BC CDC
Also negative ELISA for Bb, but no surprise there.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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WPinVA
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posted
Which lab are you using? I have heard that Labcorp is better than the other run of the mill labs for babesiosis. Of course, it's still less than perfect and subject to the limitations others already mentioned.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
I asked the NP to give me an IGENEX test but she said to wait until the tests the ID took come back - which will be 3 weeks. She told me the co-infections are more reliable than Bb with ELISA.
I had cramping in the back of one thigh yesterday and all night. It is mild - feels like something is pulling on my tendons.
The NP gave me something for sleep that works incredibly well. It is lavender oil. I took two of them last night and slept ten hours. I could hardly get up this morning but I knew the dogs needed to get out.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Neff-are they gelatin capsules with lavender essential oil inside?
Did your NP make them herself or are they in a branded bottle?
They sound great! Anything to help with sleeping Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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