posted
While there're only one genospecies of Bb in North America (Bb sensu stricto), there are 3 in Europe (Bb sensu stricto, B. garinii and B. afzelii).
US tests may pick up on Bb sensu stricto only. If that's the subspecies that infected you, you may test seropositive even if you were infected in Europe.
I have the same problem, as I'm not sure if I was infected in France or in the US. I don't know if US labs can identify any other subspecies. I'll know more by the end of the month, as I'm meeting with my LLMD and want to bring up the subject (identifying the subspecies may indicate the time of infection). Feel free to email me in 2 weeks. I hope I'll have a final answer.
posted
Just wanted to add that I'm int he same predicament. I don't know if I got lyme in Europe or the US. Please keep me posted on what you learn!
Thanks, Sara
Posts: 160 | From Frederick, Maryland | Registered: Nov 2004
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Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
My husband--who to me appears to have co-infectors--he never gets a "bump" were he feels any better like I do (we are only taking antibiotics once a month so we can keep our jobs).
He travelled in Asia for YEARS--could that be part of it?
Thanks, L
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
The commonly used testing in Europe is just as inconclusive there as it is here.
The testing that is used frequently now in Europe, at least Germany, is the LTT. The Lymphocyte Transformation Test. Search internet. I am not sure that they are up to the co-infections yet with the LTT. But definitely the (european) Borrelia. The test is recognized by insurance companies. To find an understanding doctor is just as difficult there, probably even harder, because doctors there are still wearing white coats and bowed to!
I don't think it makes much of a difference - infection from human to human, from animal to animal, from insect to human, from human to human and the next human, from animal to human ..... every host in between hosts leaves a mark on the one that finally gets us ill.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
The strain used to detect antibodies in the commercial western blots will make a difference with the sensivity and specificity of the results depending on the starin you're infected with.
Same goes for the DNA used for PCR.
I know for PCR, Igenex's test willl detect the european and north america strains.
I THINK that's true for their western blots also, but better call them to make sure of that.
The only bands I know of FOR SURE that's only expressed in b. afzelii (and not the North american strain) is 12 & 14 kDA and molecular weight is not included on any USA blots, including Igenex. 17/18 kDa is 'sort of' specific for afzelii (but it has shown up on the north american strain also.).. so can't be considered species specific.
So if you're looking for hard evidence- you won't find it. And yes it'll make your testing more difficlut if you have an european strain, but get tested in North America if you use any of the diagnostic labs.
posted
The lymphocyte transformation assay, commonly also called lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is increasingly gaining ground in Germany as it is not only more sensitive than other standard tests, but also allows to get some feedback from the antibiosis. It measures the multiplication of specific T-cells, i.e. those that are activated as a response to an irritation caused by a specific antigen.
The generation of spezific antibodies is the end point of the immun reaction, whereas the generation of specific T-lymphocytes is the beginning of the immun reaction. A More detailed explanation is given in (sorry, I haven't found any comparable study in English) * von Baehr R, LADR-Akademie, Berlin, Der Lymphozytentransformationstest f�r Borrelien: Neue diagnostische M�glichkeiten f�r Problemf�lle
There are LTT tests on co-infections too. The standard LTT tests involve the test against the following antigens: mixed antigens outer surface proteins (OSPA) variable major protein-like sequence antigen human gran. ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis pG antigen
Posts: 29 | From New York City | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
The lymphocyte transformation test was named by the CDC as one of those tests that should be avoided, along with ones from Igenex and Bowen, so maybe that means it is good. CDC bad on lyme tests = good tests.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
... up to you. I just wanted to let you know about the existence of this test and its success in Germany.
I heared of many cases, in which people - that had been suffering of severe Lyme symptoms for quite a while - had negative Elisa & Westernblot tests, but a positive LTT. Then, after having taken ABx, the standard tests suddenly turned positive too. Some of these people are now even healed.
It's up to you. Me personally, I was tested positive in all 3 tests and I wouldn't trust a single one in isolation, only the overall picture.
Posts: 29 | From New York City | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Think you misunderstood my comment. We have so little confidence in our health agency, the CDC, that we assume whatever they say about lyme testing is false, and we should believe the opposite! That would make the lymphocyte transformation test a good one.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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