Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
Has anyone had this test? Is it really so quick and so good? They say they have results in 4 or 5 days. Here is part of an e-mail they sent me. [From Neuroscience:]
"Conventional testing for Lyme disease (Western Blot) detects Lyme antibodies. iSpot Lyme, offered through NeuroScience's affiliate Pharmasan Labs, is a new diagnostic test that measures the T cell response to Lyme antigens.
Both Western Blot and iSpot Lyme can help identify the presence of Lyme disease.
But because they measure different things, the two tests together can help doctors diagnose the disease faster and more reliably, monitor its activity more accurately, and develop the most effective treatment plan.
posted
I haven't used the test myself, but based on his clinical experience, my LLMD thinks that the iSpot test is a good alternative or adjunct to the Western blot. Like the Western blot the iSpot test is based on immune response, so it will tell you if you have been exposed or not, but it won't tell you whether or not you still have an active infection.
Pharmacon has done validation studies of the iSpot test and published a summary of the results in terms of sensitivity and specificity on their web site.
-------------------- KarlaL Posts: 694 | From New Lebanon, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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