My doctor wants to test my son through Igenex for bart. She is not an llmd, but, is more knowledgeable than most PCP's (she's learning). She treated my son for babs, and now is reluctantly treating for bart. He was positive for babs, so she felt okay treating him for that. He is negative for bart, and has no symptoms, other than an obvious bart rash on his low back. Both tests were through MDL.
He has been on rifampin/zithromax for 3 mos., but she is worried about having him on zith for close to a year (was on it with Mepron for the babs) because of the possibility of hearing side effects. She doesn't want to treat him anymore because he has no symptoms other than the rash, and a negative test. She's afraid of the medical board questioning her. His streaks have started to fade, so if we stop, it will be all for nothing!
She wants me to take him to an llmd, but, I can't afford it. She also wants him to test through Igenex. I don't have extra money, so I want to make sure I do the best test. Should I get him the IgG/IgM test, PCR, or the Fish test through Igenex, or do you recommend a different lab?
Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks. Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
My bart test came back negative but I have bart. In the end, it is a clinical diagnosis. Not all LLMD's do all the testing as most of us can't afford it.
If you feel the need to do the Igenex test, I would just do the western blot.
Might be time for a new LLMD.
Posted by jupiter76 (Member # 37697) on :
mybe the fry lab strain test which makes the bug viewable. But one has to be of antibiotic for at least 4 weeks, better more. this test is done by microscope with a special technic so you can detect bacteria even if they are from an unknown strain.
I�ve done the usual bart pcr test which tests for multiple strains but was negative. the strain test was positive.
Posted by Hoops123 (Member # 18333) on :
It is very hard to find bart - I would recommend treatment and see if there is a response to the treatement - levaquin, rifampin, etc. Or, maybe try A Bart from Byron White.
Posted by amk33 (Member # 13206) on :
Yeah, unfortunately, my doc wants a positive test, and I can't afford an llmd. Just wondering if anyone has done Igenex bart tests, and if so, which one. I'm thinking fish, but, not sure. Thanks for your responses.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
I had a low positive IgG Bart test.
Posted by amk33 (Member # 13206) on :
I had one positive bart test recently, but, have always had negatives before (for many years of testing). I also had the Fry test which was vague and said something about hemobartonella. I don't think that the doctor would accept the Fry test as evidence for further treatment. So, I'm not going to waste my money getting my son tested through there. I know these tests are unreliable, but, she wants him tested through Igenex, which, I would think, would be better than most.
It's surprising to me that more people haven't shared their experiences with bart testing through Igenex. Does this mean that nobody is testing through this lab for bart?
Posted by kim812 (Member # 17644) on :
I have been tested 3 times for Bart through Igenex..one was IgM at 1:80 then 2 years later it was 1:40 ..just had it done again and am waiting for results...I think he had ordered IgM..IgG and PCR..
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Yes, I had a positive Bartonella henselae test though Igenex - first test, before any type of treatment.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I tested negative for Bart but have it.
Posted by WIGGY (Member # 15377) on :
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