Well, other than band 41 (which is a common band that most people test positive for), you have one positive lyme band, band 58, so I would not call your lyme test hugely positive. I would not consider lyme as part of your problem.
However, I would take a closer look at your rickettsia result, and your M. pneumonia, EBV and CMV results. What lab ran the last 3 tests, and what were the antibody titers?
Good luck, you may have found some answers.
Best, Timaca
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Wolfed Out: [QB] I wish that thread with the detailed explanation on Igenex testing was a sticky on the board.]
It used to be!! They said it was too cluttered!!!
BTW, it's still there... under Quick Links to Popular Topics....
"Many would say the " +/-" equivocal ["IND"] bands are not significant. The problem I have with that, is that there are "-" negative bands. The lab has no trouble calling some bands negative. So they must be seeing something when they put "+/-" at some bands.
The only thing that makes sense, is that there is a little bit of that antibody present in your serum. If the "+/-" equivocal IND is reported on the borrelia associated bands, it is usually significant, in my clinical experience. This is a strong clue that I am on the right track."
The significance of the bands:
18: An outer surface protein.
22: Possibly a variant of outer surface protein C.
23-25: Outer surface protein C (osp C).
28: An outer surface protein.
30: Possibly a variant of outer surface protein A.
31: Outer surface protein A (osp A). 34: Outer surface protein B (osp B).
37: Unknown, but it is in the medical literature that it is a borrelia-associated antibody. Other labs consider it significant.
39: Unknown what this antigen is, but based on research at the National Institute of Health (NIH), other Borrelia (such as Borrelia recurrentis that causes relapsing fever), do not even have the genetics to code for the 39 kDa antigen, much less produce it. It is the most specific antibody for borreliosis of all.
41: Flagella or tail. This is how Borrelia burgdorferi moves around, by moving the flagella. Many bacteria have flagella. This is the most common borreliosis antibody.
45: Heat shock protein. This helps the bacteria survive fever. The only bacteria in the world that does not have heat shock proteins is Treponema pallidum, the cause of syphilis.
58: Heat shock protein.
66: Heat shock protein. This is the second most common borrelia antibody.
73: Heat shock protein.
83: This is the DNA or genetic material of Borrelia burgdorferi. It is the same thing as the 93, based upon the medical literature. But laboratories vary in assigning significance to the 83 versus the 93.
93: The DNA or genetic material of Borrelia burgdorferi.
In my clinical experience, if a patient has symptoms suspicious for borreliosis, and has one or more of the following bands, there is a very high probability the patient has borreliosis.
These bands are 18, 22, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 37, 39, 41, 83, and 93.
This is true regardless of whether it is IgG or IgM.. But again, there is no universal agreement on the significance of these bands. ----------------------------------
Here is his update written sometime around 2005: --------------
The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93.
back in a minute.. refresh your screen
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
My LLMD considers an IND result on a lyme specific band to be significant. He says they are like fingerprints, just not dark ones.
You have IND's on bands 31, 34, 39, and 83-93 which are lyme specific.
Combine that with your history (ie: living in Mass) and symptoms that are common to lyme and I would definitely find a good LLMD.
Many people with lyme do not show much on their western blots for many reasons.
A lyme diagnosis is not based on a lab test. It is based on history and symptoms and can be supported by labwork.
The fact that you have a positive Rickettsia rickettsii titer (RMSF) is proof that you were bitten by an infected tick.
Do yourself a favor and find a LLMD and get a good evaluation for Lyme and coinfections.
Thanks for all of the replies! I am a bit suspicious of the Rickettsia result. I have never had the spots associated with the disease. Plus, since we are
just coming out of winter, I would have been bitten a while ago, and I haven't been severely ill. It seems like a nasty disease from what I've read.
Also from 1995-2005,there were only 6 reported cases of RMSF in Mass. Perhaps there was some cross-reaction? I wonder how specific the
assay reagents are.The antibody tests were performed by Quest Diagnostics. There weren't any units reported with the results, just
numbers and ranges for negative and positive results. Here are the results:
mycoplasma 1.90 positive is >= 1.10
EBV 3.55 positive is >= 1.10
CMV 3.54 positive is >= 1.10
To add to the confusion, I had HLA DRB, DQB typing tests performed along with tests for C3a and C4a levels. I had normal C3a levels but high C4a
levels. I read online that the C3a/C4a results might indicate a couple of things, including mold infection or acute Lyme disease.My doc explained
that the genetic typing results indicated a susceptibility to mold infection. I am awaiting AB test results against 8 molds.
Thoughts?
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I would bet on Lyme in hiding and the RMSF is just
not active because of the Lyme. I have a neighbor
who is the same right now. Tests positive for it but no spots.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
brookie~ It is good that you are testing for a lot of things, and mold can make people ill. One thought with regard to mold (or other environmental issues) is do you feel better on vacation...away from your home? If so, then perhaps an environmental issue is your problem.
Antibody titers to Mycoplasma, EBV and CMV do not seem hugely elevated....so those may not be an issue for you. Focus Diagnostics Lab is a good lab for testing those pathogens, so you might consider retesting there. Your doctor either has to have an account with them, or you have to work with your local Quest lab for billing, as Focus does not deal with patients directly.
I've been tested for lots of pathogens at Focus, with antibody results higher than yours for CMV (5.95) and my doctors are not concerned.
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Good luck.
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