LymeNet Flash: ELISA and cross-reaction

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 » ELISA and cross-reaction

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: ELISA and cross-reaction

nancyb
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 10154

posted

Can anyone tell me what other viral and bacterial pathogens can cause false positive results with an ELISA?

[ 02-02-2009, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: nancyb ]

--------------------
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation www.canlyme.com

Posts: 128 | From Canada | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged |

Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375

posted

According to the CDC, the Elisa is an "extremely sensitive" test.

They recommend that the Elisa be done prior to a Western Blot.

If a Western Blot is done first, without an Elisa,

The chances of a "false positive" on the WB (according to the CDC) is inflated.

Of course we all know how sensitive the Elisa is. [shake]

I researched in a a non descriptive connective tissue inflammation issue

Or possibly Lupus can possibly cause a positive Elisa.

Know that Lyme loves connective tissue.

Know also that many with Lyme disease have had a positive ANA

Which later turns negative after antibiotic treatment.

My husband had an Elisa done.

It was actually positive.

My LLMD almost fell out when he heard that.

He said nobody gets a positive Elisa.

He also added that my husband must have Lyme.

Tested him via Igenex. It only confirmed the Elisa's results.

More likely to get a false negative in this disease than a false positive.

Hugs,

Geneal

Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006 | IP: Logged |

nancyb
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 10154

posted

Yes, they like to say that the ELISA is very sensitive, but is it specific? No! That's why it can cross react with other pathogens.

If a patient has an ELISA performed and it is positive then a WB is done. If the WB is negative the doctors like to say that it was a false positive and send you on your way.

So...what is the ELISA picking up? I would think the doctor should then be looking into the other possible causes for the false positive. A doctor doesn't run an ELISA if the patient isn't sick.

If the following are potential cross reactions then the patient is obviously in need of medical care because a false positive means something.

Borrelia of other species,
Syphilis,
Leptospirosis,
Epstein Barr
Autoimmune diseases like Lupus

I'm wondering what else should be added to this list.

--------------------
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation www.canlyme.com

Posts: 128 | From Canada | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged |

VB
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 16824

posted

So here's a tough one then...

My ELISA came back positive... twice. WB (Quest) was negative (no bands)... twice. WB (Quest) positive 23 band only after several wks of abx. Igenex positive with lots of bands and + signs. Also positive for EVB and HHV6.

BUT... when my doctor was originally trying to figure out what was wrong with me, he ran all types of neuro tests, including an FTA-ABS (syphilis confirmatory test) and I got a "low reactive" on this one.

Yikes! Low reactive for syphilis? Holy cow!

But here's my thing... I've "technically" been... ahem... saving myself for marriage, although technically it isn't completely impossible for me to have syph because apparently there are other ways.

Anyway, I know this should probably be in a completely separate post. This post just got me wondering again if I'm the only "virgin" on the planet to have somehow magically gotten syphilis??

All this time, should I be treating neuro-syph, not lyme?

Am I barking up the wrong spirochete??

Thank God for anonymity.

Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008 | IP: Logged |

Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375

posted

If it were syphillis,

Then a ten day run of antibiotics would cure you.

Right?

If you have Lyme specific bands, (i.e. 23)

Then you are barking up the right tree. [Smile]

If it is both syphillis and Lyme,

Then you are killing two birds with one stone.

Hang in there. Kudos to you for saving yourself for marriage.

Hugs,

Geneal

Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006 | 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/