"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 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."
also from the link:
"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."
From his updated version in 2005:
"The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93."
It's quite possible that after abx treatment most of these IND's would convert to "+"!
BE sure to read the entire link above. There's much more information there than what I just posted.
back in a minute
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Thanks LymeToo! I guess my confusion lies in - does IND mean something (I assume it does since they are obviously finding something to cause it to be IND) and what are the **'s Before the numbers?
Some lines have *'s and +'s and some just *'s some just +'s.
The results came through on a fax and I can't make out alot of the explanatory text.
Based on looking at these results what would you Lyme knowledgable folks say?
quote:Originally posted by Stardantzer: .... does IND mean something (I assume it does since they are obviously finding something to cause it to be IND) and what are the **'s Before the numbers?
The **'s refer to whether or not it's a Lyme-specific band.
Pay attention to the RIGHT side for the positive response....either IND or +.
Yes, I would say in my NON-medical opinion that she has Lyme disease. Whatever it is, you need to treat it! Abx will probably work!
From Dr C of MO:
"As mentioned, if these positive blots are found by specialty labs, over 99% of those patients will respond to antibiotics."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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