I'm currently on treatment for lyme based only on clinical symptoms. I've tested negative 3 times with Quest (one of them Western Blot with no positive IgG and IgM bands). However, I would like to tested thru IgeneX but don't really want to stop my treatment. How would ABXs impact the results...would it tend to make them have more false positives or false negatives.
Thanks!
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Igenex does have a urine Lyme test protocol that uses abx to boost the test.
From others experience, using abx will increase the chance of getting positiv results in Lyme patients.
Why? cause abx kill Bb bacteria and exposure the sequestered Bb antigens to human immune system to generate antibodies against Bb.
The Western blot test is detecting these antibodies in the blood. The test sensitivity would be increased after using abx, if the abx is working.
Anothre explaination is that after using abx, Bbs have been killed and the weakend immune system become stronger to generate antibodies against the Bb antigens.
So on abx is a good thing for your Western blot test but probably not good for PCR test because you would reduce the Bb number thus reduce the sensitivity of PCR test that detects Bb DNA.
However, the reliabe test at Ignex is Western test not PCR. So you would be OK on abx.
Posted by hopeandme (Member # 8803) on :
Hi-
I went to the Hope to Heal Lyme conference over the weekend and asked about getting a positive for my peace of mind. My LLMD says I have it do to the symptoms but I need a positive for myself. Dr. B recommended taking an antibiotic on day 1, none on day 2, one on day 3, and on day 4 take your urine sensitivity test through Igenex. I hope this helps. I am going to try this as well.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
What Dave said is true for the most part, but my LLMD always has his patients go off abx 2-3 wks before a western blot. I'd be willing to bet that yours would come out with bands showing up, either way.
So if you dont' mind another possible neg test result, you could try staying on the meds.
Posted by jwenny (Member # 8831) on :
Thanks everyone for the great responses.
Dave, It seems to me that being on ABX would actually help the results for western blot since it makes it makes it more sensitive. However, when I called IgeneX, I was told that I needed to be off of ABX for 10 days...so I'm still a little puzzled why they would say that...I may follow this up with another call. Thanks so much for the info!
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Yes, if they said that, it's better to follow their guideline. At least, later if found out they were wrong and you didn't get what you want, you might get another test or reimbursment.
However, for me, I didn't stop abx for the test and I got CDC positive results for IgM. But the genomic and plasmid PCRs are negative, that's undstandable, cause the abx kill the bugs in the blood, suggesting there is no bugs in the blood, equal to no DNA in the blood, thus PCR should be negative.
The Igenex Bb pannel includes Western blot and genomic/plasmid PCR. If you expect both working, they are right on that.
Don't know why most got genomic/plasmid PCR negative.
One good thing for PCR is that it detects current infection.
Western blot is an indicative of exposure to the bugs, cannot tell if you still have active infection.