I have just received my results back and my IgG levels for both Bartonella and Ehrlicia were pretty high. Also had equivocal (not normal or abnormal) come back for Borrelia sensu stricto and Borrelia Garinii. But my reading Borrelia Burgdoferi all came back in the normal ranges.
Is it normal to have lyme coinfections without the lyme? My tests were done at Neuroimmunology labs in the US and i think were done via the new multi peptide ELISA testing.
Also another question the test also included neurological antibodies which i had high levels to, they include BBB (blood brain barrier) Protein, Myelin Basic Protein and Neurofilament what does all this mean?
Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide, i have a consultation with my LLMD in a week so he should be able to shed some light but i am just impatient!
Posts: 74 | From United Kingdom | Registered: Dec 2007
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Well, I can give you some of my muddy thoughts on your lyme results. Yes, it is possible to have other tick-borne infections and not Lyme. Unfortunately, many doctors wouldn't even think to test for these co-infections if someone doesn't test positive for Lyme.
Your test results show you have, at some point, had Erlichia and Bartonella and whether it is currently an active infection is not clear (not that it ever is with current testing methods). If you are sick, there is certainly enough evidence to treat! I'm also not so sure you don't have Lyme...equiv. results suggest something is there and you need to have a western blot performed.
I really don't know much about neurological antibodies, etc. so I'll leave that to someone else to comment on.
Not sure if this was helpful...good luck!!
Kristin
Posts: 561 | From mass | Registered: Jul 2007
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Posts: 74 | From United Kingdom | Registered: Dec 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
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Hey Jason...
It is possible you haven't gotten many responses because the lab you used is not one I am familair with.. and maybe others aren't either? But I will try to give you some basic info.
You are "equivical" for the two most common strains of Borrelia in the European countries. You test negative for the one they claim is usually found in the USA... although they are not hard fast rules.
I personally think no one can be "equivocal" in a technical sense. It is like being a little bit pregnant.
You wouldn't show any reaction if you had no exposure to Lyme. You have some reaction, hence, in MY opinion, you have Lyme.
Several things can make the tests equivocal.
Prior antibiotics, vaccine, etc... or.. my guess...
The other infections are the one the body is reacting to strongly right now. Sometimes once one infection is knocked down... the others that were "laying low" jump up and hit you. Don't be surprised if during or after treatment your tests show a stronger positive for Borrelia.
As for the other things you mentioned... we rarely see those test results.. so it is hard to say.
BUT.. elevated proteins normally indicate "infection"... if that helps?
As for the neurofilament.. sorry, no clue.
Once you learn more.. please share. It would help us to know and to be able to help others.
Good luck and feel better soon!
PS.. I am NOT a doctor and this is ONLY a guess and MY opinion.
You have cleared up a few things for me. I have been to the US but this illness commenced after 3 months of travelling in Europe and UAE (middle east). My girlfriend and i got pretty badly bitten in Europe and probably explains the borrelia results. Thank you!
I will post back under this thread when i get the doctors interpretation of neurologic antibodies.
Posts: 74 | From United Kingdom | Registered: Dec 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Jason..
Thought of you today. I have had another "bout" of what is usually ONLY described in the European literature.. with the European strains. Since I've never been to Europe.. it makes me go hmmmmmm.
For years I've had the notion that I am somehow infected with European strains.. but know what? Nobody listens.
I need to head to a doc on Thursday and was wondering if you have the contact info for this lab you mentioned.
I don't know any labs that test for "strains" and that would at least answer my questions and give me some evidence that what is going on IS from another strain other than B. burgdorferi.
And would also let me know that .. well.. maybe if I pay them enough... they will be kind enough to say ...
I'm not nuts!
OK.. LymeNet is acting up and this isn't posting. Trying again.
posted
My tests were done via NeuroScience at the NeuroImmunology Labs. You may be able to go directly to NeuroImmunolgy Labs. The Lyme panel C test which i had done is in a link below it outlines what tests are done.
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