posted
We all no how reliable the testing for Lyme is... however, does anyone have information or support on how reliable testing for co-infections are?
I was tested for both (Babs & Ehrl) but they came back negative.
I'm in the tunnel and I still don't see any light!!
-------------------- I'm in the tunnel and I still don't see any light!! Posts: 42 | From RI tick capitol of the world | Registered: Sep 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Rubic,
go to NEWBIE LINKS by Treepatrol at the top of 1st screen of medical ... read all about co-infections there.
minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
The hubby did the PCR by Igenex for babs. Came back negative, but he was so symptomatic for babs that the LLMD treated him for it anyway. Major improvement.
I don't know how much better the FISH or the Bowen tests are for babs.
Haven't tested for bart; treated based on sx.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
posted
The trouble is that they keep finding new species/strains of these microbes, but there are tests for only a few. You don't have the right one, you get a negative test result.
IMO, the Bowen procedure for actually looking at slide of blood might turn up these other critters, when antibody tests do not. PCR for antigen can also be false negative.
But if a doc recognizes symptoms and treats on clinical diagnosis, this will work too.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
When testing for Babesia you actually have a 98% chance of coming up negitive.
Here's why:
Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return. A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection.
An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially. There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs.
Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
quote:Originally posted by minoucat: The hubby did the PCR by Igenex for babs. Came back negative, but he was so symptomatic for babs that the LLMD treated him for it anyway. Major improvement.
I don't know how much better the FISH or the Bowen tests are for babs.
Haven't tested for bart; treated based on sx.
Ditto, but I had to switch LLMDs to get treated for Babs with Mepron. Made a HUGE difference.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
I, too, tested negative for Babs however two out my, then, three LLMDs said they thot I had Babs based on my symptoms. I decided to go with the third and was treated for LD for 4 or 5 months. We retested for Babs and I was equivocal so now we are treating me for Babs.
Upshot, sometimes one can test postive for Babs after some LD treatment.
Not exactly on topic but hope it helps.
Posts: 261 | From San Mateo, CA | Registered: May 2005
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