LymeNet Flash: Question about Igenex IFA test

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Question about Igenex IFA test

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Question about Igenex IFA test

chamade
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 11472

posted

I never saw this test mentioned here which made me curious as to why?
My IFA came back positive with a 1:80 titer and my
previous general practitioner MD gave me a trial of doxy bassed on this. My western blot was negative (band 39 was + and 41 +/-, 23-25 +/-).

So any ideas what is the significance of the IFA results? Is IFA similar to ELISA? How come noone else gets tested by the Igenex IFA?

--------------------
Why me? Well, why not me???

Posts: 411 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

maritzap
Member
Member # 11146

posted

My daughter also had IFA from igenex which was positive, and reported to public health dept.
Her western blot did not have the five required bands though the 3 bands that showed up were lyme specific
Testing seems so confusing and inconclusive.
Too many variables can affect the results.
Better testing needs to be developed, which requires research and $$$.
Hang in there.
Maritza [Smile]

Posts: 75 | From San Diego, CA | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

chamade
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 11472

posted

So a positive IFA was considered enough to make a conclusive diagnosis and report it to the public health dept, even with a "negative" western blot...interesting.

I don't think mine was reported to the authorities and my LLMD didn't seem to give much weight to the positive IFA. My general practitioner gave me doxy based on the IFA though.

--------------------
Why me? Well, why not me???

Posts: 411 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

quote:
Originally posted by chamade:
. My western blot was negative (band 39 was + and 41 +/-, 23-25 +/-).

I don't know much about the IFA, but your "negative" WB is positive in MY book!!

Bands 39 and 23-25 are Lyme specific....especially band 39.

Western Blot explanation:
http://tinyurl.com/ffn3x

"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. "

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:

The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey
907 Pebble Creek Court, Pennington, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/