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Originally posted by Clarissa:
No problem!

Ironically, I tested low positive (meaning I've been exposed) to/for Babesia Duncani via the Igenex FISH test.

I have NO symptoms so my LLMD does not want to treat. It makes me a little worried knowing I have it but I also don't want togo looking for trouble.

Oftentimes, it will lay dormant and then if you treat it, Lyme and Bart (both of which are in remission for me right now) will come roaring back.

I'm going to take the 'wait and see' approach per my LLMD's recommendation.

Best,

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I think you are confusing the tests here. You can't register a 'low positive' on a FISH test, which is a blood smear. You are either positive, negative, or equivocal. Positive on FISH means 3 or more RBC's noted on microscopy containing Babesia forms. moreover the FISH doesnt make a discrepancy between various babesia species, it is a test for the entire genus.

You must be confusing the FISH test with an IFA for babesia.
 

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Posted by sunshinyday (Member # 14337) on :
 
My LLND has me taking Zhangs Artemisia, Allicin, and circ P, for Babesia.

I have found that an eldeberry formula helped with some of the problems with my eyes.

This is not medical advice just sharing personal experience.

Gail
 

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Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
 
Aligondo,

I'm going to pull my lab results and review what the heck my results were. I had one LLMD tell me it was a "low positive" and another LLMD tell me that it shows that "I've been exposed." Both referred to it as Babesia Duncani.

These are verbatim quotes from two ILADS LLMD's so maybe it wasn't the FISH test but I KNOW I requested it as I knew it was more sensitive.

Nothing can be easy with these test results. I may be pm-ing you after I review when I'm alert tomorrow.

Thanks for the information.
 

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Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
 
Aligondo,

Thank you for your PM. I tried to respond but your mailbox was full so I hope the other board members don't mind me posting my Babs Igenex results in public. Any input is welcomed as I'm pretty confused.

Test Name: B. Microti Antibody G/M
1:20 IgM suggests no evidence of infection
1:40 IgG suggests no evidence of infection
1:40 (IgG)-1:60 May suggest evidence of infection. If sample within last 6 mos had titer of 1:640 ot >, patient may be recovering.
1:160 to 1:640 suggests an infection of unknown duration
1:640 May suggest an active infection

B Duncani Antibody Panel:
1:20 IgM suggests no evidence of infection
1:40 IgG suggests no evifence of infection
1:20 (IgM) or 1:40 (IgG)-1:160 May suggest evidence of infection. If sample within last 6 mos had titer of 1:640 ot >, patient may be recovering.
1:160 o 1:640 Suggests an infection of unknown duration
1:640 Suggests an active infection

"Based on a validation study performed at Igenex on 147 well characterized sera, the assay sensitivity was 100% and the specifity against non-Babesia was 100%.

However, there was cross reaction with serum that was positive for antibodies to B microti at a titer ot 1:160 or >. Thus, our recommendation is to test patients suspected of infection with B Duncani by both B microti and B duncani IFA tests.

BABESIA FISH (RNA): NEGATIVE
BABESIA PCR SCREEN: NEGATIVE

Sorry to put you all to sleep with my lab results but I'M CONFUSED! Do I have Babesia or NOT? And what strain?

One LLMD was going to treat it (but untraditionally with NO mepron) so I returned to my reliable LLMD who said, based on the facts that I have NO clinical Babs symptoms, that we should not treat right now.

Any advice, analysis or input would be welcomed. I don't want to leave any stone unturned as I want this to be the END of this nightmare.

Gratefully,
 

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Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
 
Clarissa,

Forgive me, but I'm not sure you posted your IFA results. You've posted the scale but not your own results.(I think)

I am guessing that your IFA titers showed some evidence of exposure but probably not a super high titer. This is why your LLMD said what he said. But be careful. These IFA tests are targeted at the immunologic reactivity to specific types of babesia...and as in PCR, you could be infected with an unusual strain which is not currently testable.

Your PCR was negative. Your FISH was negative. What this is saying is there is no DNA or RNA evidence in your blood sample of babesia. The PCR is only testing for two strains:duncani and microti. You could have another strain. On your FISH, they labeled your red blood cells with a flourescent babesia RNA hybridizing tag and looked at your cells under a microscope.

If it is negative, that means they didn't see any blood cells that were tagged by the flourescent label. If it had been positive, that means they saw cells light up; since it is a babesia specific label, this would be good evidence of babesia infection in your cells. It is an RNA tag; RNA is produced by active cells involved in protein synthesis. So if the FISH is positive, that is good evidence that babesia are actively synthesizing proteins and facilitating an infective process.

The FISH and PCR are not always positive in active infection. Sometimes an extremely low level of RBC's are infected, and it becomes very difficult for PCR or FISH/giemsa smears to detect them. If you are having active symptoms, and you ARE sick with babesia, sometimes it might take several test runs to produce a positive.

Most LLMDs treat babesia clinically by symptoms. If you are having symptoms...sleep disturbance, photophobia, headaches, fatigue, sweats..etc...you should probably be treated regardless of the test results.
 

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Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
 
Aligondo,

Thank you SO much for taking the time for going into such great detail. You should be an MD (are you?) Wow! Impressive. Meanwhile, I can't even look at the results and type them right...I was always so horrible at science. I was an English major.

My LLMD asked me about the following symptoms:
excessive sweating
brain fog
poor memory
great fatigue/malaise
horrible headaches
chills
joint pain
lethargy
photosensitivity

and I have none of those symtpoms. Based on the LACK of clinical symptoms, he's advising not to treat...at least at this point and time.

But trust me, I will NEVER EVER throw caution to the wind when it comes to TBD's. I'm officially a bitter betty/cynic, waiting for the other shoe to drop as far as TBD's are concerned.

I was a congenital Lymie so I won't let it or it's red-headed step brothers get the best of me ever again.

Thanks for your time, thoughtfulness and wealth of knowledge!

Blessings and healing thoughts to you!
 

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Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
 
Aligondo,

I respect your opinion so much so I went back and looked at MY results, NOT the scale.

Babesia Microti IgM < 1:20 Titer
Babesia Microti IgG <1:40 Titer

Babesia Duncani IgM < 1:20 Titer
Babesia Duncani IgG < 1:40 Titer

So, from what I'm learning from you is that the Babesia Duncani is "in the scale" that "may suggest evidence of infection" as the scale for IgG is 1:40-1:160.

So, with those results, NEGATIVE on Babs Fish and no clinical symptoms, would you treat it?

Just curious of your well informed opinion.

Best and thanks SOOOOO much.
 

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Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
 
Without symptoms and any really positive results, it really doesn't make sense to treat for babesia. It is unlikely to be causing your illness. however...if you are concerned about it, you can always have your llmd periodically check pcr and/or fish/giemsa stain.

Again, since you are not experiencing the symptoms, it is unlikely that babesia treatment will help you.
 

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Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
 
Aligondo,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful opinion. I've really been struggling with this decision but I do trust my LLMD and want to have faith that it's the right decision.

It's just that, like you and many others, I've been "burned" by these TBD's in the past and I don't want to drop the ball after all of my hard work.

I'm starting to feel comfortable with the decision not to treat but to remain vigilante watching for any red flags that may arise and occasional "check in" testing sounds like a good plan, too.

Thanks again! I will sleep more peacefully tonight.

Kindest Regards,
 

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