LymeNet Flash: Which lab is best for Bartonella Testing

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Which lab is best for Bartonella Testing

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Topic: Which lab is best for Bartonella Testing

cjohnson
Member
Member # 21271

posted

Hi All,

I had Bartonella test done at Igenix last year )B. henselae IgM 1:20 Titer). My LLMD at the time diagnosed w/ BLO and gave 30 days of Rifampin back in November. I continued to stay on Biaxin for Lyme treatment and am feeling better, but still have red rashes, burning sensations, and some muscle twitching in legs/arms. I suspect Bartonella; however LLMD feels 30 days was enough to address it and no longer wants to treat for it. Has anyone here successfully treated Bartonella? How long did it take and what was your treatment protocol?

At the very least I would like to find the best lab for Bartonella and get retested to put my mind at ease. I just have a funny feeling it is still lingering and won't get better until I address it.

Thanks,
Chris

Posts: 19 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2009 | IP: Logged |

Wolfed Out
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 23727

posted

Chris,

My test was completed at Fry Laboratories in Scottsdale, AZ. It was a blood smear slide.

It showed positive Hemobartonella or Mycoplasma infection.

NOW, here comes the controversy.

I discovered through a discussion on here that my test wasn't for Bartonella, but rather Hemobartonella and/or Mycoplasma. Supposedly, Bartonella is a gram-negative bacteria and attaches itself inside our RBC's (red blood cells).

According to this theory, tick-related Bartonella would not show positive on a blood smear, because the bacteria is cell-wall deficient, and currently there is no blood-stain to show this type of bacteria positive.

Here's more info:

http://lymemd.blogspot.com/2008/07/fry-labs-what-are-hemobartonella.html

But, I can tell you whatever it is...I'm responding to treatment.

Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009 | IP: Logged |

Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521

posted

My Bart is so bad my titer keeps rising, it's so high and that's just on Quest.

--------------------
NO PM; CONTACT: [email protected]

13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG.

Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged |

kitty9309
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 19945

posted

www.galaxydx.com

Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009 | IP: Logged |

t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489

posted

Dr. J just did Igenex for Lyme and babesia but Specialized for Bart. We now have to wait two more weeks (1 down).

--------------------
Tim

Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010 | IP: Logged |

TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183

posted

t9im, did you mean Specialty Labs for the bart?

They are a distinct operating division of Quest Diagnostics and are a reference laboratory.

Chris, here is the bart page of their website:

http://www.specialtylabs.com/books/display.asp?id=297

Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007 | IP: Logged |

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