posted
Hello everyone...my Dr did a DNA lyme test. is anyone familiar with this test? could it produce a false negative?
-------------------- Lisa Posts: 16 | From new jersey | Registered: Mar 2009
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Are you talking about PCR?
My PCR was negative, even though I have lyme and had several species specific bands on my Igenex western blot.
This negative result is common because it can be difficult to find actual Borrelia DNA in a small blood (or other body fluid)sample when the bacteria actually hides deep within the body's tissues.
Here is the page from the Igenex website explaining PCR:
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome lisa marie!
Welcome; i'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!
Dr. Burrascano's most recent "Diagnostic Hints and 2008 Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses" @
please go to my newbie links, copy the entire thing, and then print this off....FINANCIAL BURDENS compiled by melanie reber print off pages 74 - 92; outstanding info there. i believe there are a few more general comments there without links!! print that off too as it's newer info from members thru their own personal, tragic experiences.
Betty's suggested POSTING GUIDELINES . many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``TWICE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
NOTE: you do NOT have to use " ", just show the name of person you are responding to, and then type your comment.
IF you need to use "", PLEASE DELETE "BOLD" CODES so it's regular type text we read vs. the DARK, HARSH/PAINFUL BOLDING. delete the first 4 characters of 2ND LINE of a ""
[QB] just delete these 4 characters, and BOLDING is GONE! my eyes will really appreciate that; it's one very bad side effect of my having lyme for 38.5 years!! xox
then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND
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posted
Lisa, if you are referring to a PCR test (which does test for DNA) then the chance of a false positive is exceptionally high.
The value of PCR is that the false positive chance is almost zero, and that it is a direct test - it tests for actual bacterial DNA, not the human immune response to a bacteria.
Posts: 263 | From Capital Region, NY, USA | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
thank you guys for your reponse...yes the PCR DNA test is the one I was referring to. I am not sure what to do...I have had 2 western blots and one PCR that all came back negative for Lyme but i am sure i have it...it is the ONLY THING that adds up. i am thinking about getting an Ingenx test done myself and pay for it out of pocket as my insurance will not pay for this. i am not working now due to my symptoms but am going to take out my 401k to do this. I am not sure if it does come out positive will my ins then pay for my treatment being that i got the test done myself? this has ruined my life....
-------------------- Lisa Posts: 16 | From new jersey | Registered: Mar 2009
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
Just to clarify, I believe tcw meant a PCR test has a high chance for a false Negative, as the sample[s] (what did your doc sample?) might not have any BB 'kete DNA. (they tend to not hang out in the blood, though dead pcs can be in suspension in bodily waste fluids (i.e: in knee joint).
2 double-Western blots (IgM/IgG) by a poor lab are worth far less than One at a 'good' lab (like IgeneX). Pay for it outa yer pocket for chrissake It cost me less than 100 but that WAS Dec of 2005.
Atleast your doc will have a better resolution view of all the bands currently tested for for Lyme. Who knows...you may end up showing 2 Lyme-specific bands, + or ind. Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
'Kete-tracker, thanks for the correction, PCR has a high false negative rate.
A positive PCR on blood from a patient that is culture confirmed (tissue samples grow Bb in a tube) is variable, but probably around 50% - 75% overall. In other words, even for patients that 100%, absolutely, positively confirmed infected, the PCR can still be wrong about half the time.
That being said, the value of a positive PCR is that is almost no risk of other infections causing a cross reaction, and it indicates current infection.
Get a copy of your WB results, remember that what is considered a positive result depends on who is interpreting the results. You need to know what specific bands are reported on the test, and which bands showed positive for both IgG and IgM. If your WB has that info, it will help.
Posts: 263 | From Capital Region, NY, USA | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
wow...you guys seem like you have advanced degrees in chemistry, pharmacy, and biology!
I guess you really, SERIOUSLY, have to educate yourself about this. I am blown away by your knowledge. Plus i am very confused!
It is hard to understand this stuff as a layman. not to mention the cognitive difficulties i have been having lately.
Reading is so hard... and i am in a graduate program so i have about 1,000 pages per WEEK to complete.
Not to mention research projects, a thesis, and papers exponentially.
I can't understand even simple concepts anymore.
I don't know how i am going to navigate through this disease, the politics, paying for testing and treatment, school, and i can pretty much forget about any other life (work, social, etc) as i am just able to mope about the house every day, all day.
From the symptoms I posted do you guys think there is a good possibility I have lyme?? I trust your opinions WAAAAAY more than any doctor I have seen to date... thanks again... you are ALL my heroes.
-------------------- Lisa Posts: 16 | From new jersey | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
You may end of with an Igenex positive and a CDC negative on your western blot. My LLND took one look and said you have lyme but without a CDC positive don't expect your insurance to do much, or any other doctor who's not lyme literate. Sorry
Posts: 199 | From utah | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
well i am just going to take it one day at a time. plus i feel supported here. and like i have tapped into a wealth of wise, wonderful people.
at least we have each other to help us through this.
and activism is a must. this will change. it is just a horrible situation. i would have NEVER imagined. I do however feel positive for the first time in a while. Thanks to you all.
-------------------- Lisa Posts: 16 | From new jersey | Registered: Mar 2009
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otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. 
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