Help with labs please?

[browneyesmom]

Ok, finally got the results of my daughter's Igenex back! I have to run for another appointment for her soon, so will have to research more later, but wondered if anyone has information on where I can learn more about specific bands and what they mean. Here are her results:

 

Western Blot

 

IgM Result:

All negative except:

**41 kDa = Ind

 

IgG Result: (I realize IgG is indicative of ACTIVE infection... cried all the way home to see ANYTHING on this one; I think I'm at the end of my rope)

All negative except:

**31 kDa = Ind

**39 kDa = Ind

**41 kDa = ++

 

B. microti IFA:

B. Microti IgM = <20

B. Microti IgG = <40

 

HME panel:

E. chaffeensis IgM = 80

E. chaffeensis IgG = <40

 

HGE panel:

A. phagocytophilum IgM = <20

A. phagocytophilum IgG = <40

 

 

B. henaelae IFA:

B. henselae IgM = <20

B. henselae IgG = <40

 

 

If anyone has any research lit or links on this, please let me know.

 

Also, if you have the name of a good LLMD, I would be so appreciative... Thanks!!

[LNN]

you can see if these links are helpful

Explaining Western Blot tests: http://flash.lymenet...TML/022767.html

 

WB for Lyme: http://www.anapsid.org/lyme/wb.html

 

Understanding the WB: http://www.lymenet.d...sts/brenner.htm

 

also check out the "helpful threads" section of the lyme forum for finding an LLMD. Not sure where you're located.

[browneyesmom]

Thanks! FYI: Your first and last links are not loading - I'm reviewing the second one now - found that one on Google too.

I don't know why it did not occur to me to post this on the Lyme board too - I'll do that now.

[browneyesmom]

Doc finally called me back today. She's negative for Lyme & Myco; positive for Ehrlichiosis.

She already has a PICC running Rocephin 1 gram daily for 14 days because she hasn't cleared strep for over a year. He added Biaxin 250 mg BID for four weeks. Hopefully, this will clear up her infections and the IVIG for her immune deficiency will help restore her health.

[dcmom]

thanks Nancy- really interesting!

[browneyesmom]

Hi Nancy... all respectful opinions are welcome; thanks! I'm gathering information at this point and keeping an open mind on all fronts.... the important thing is to get her well again!

 

She has a significant IgG deficiency as well, so it could potentially be that her body just can't mount a response to the Lyme, if she has it. She has been receiving IVIG infusions and shows clear improvement with them, so I don't see us pulling that.

[mama2alex]

BTW I don't make enough antibodies to fight strep and I got the neumovax shot and now I have higher resistance.

 

Hi Nancy,

 

I just wanted to speak to this part of your post. I wanted to clarify that streptoccocus pneumoniae are not the bacteria that cause Group A beta-hemolytic strep(the S in pandas). The pneumovax vaccinates against bacteria that cause pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infections and some other infections, but not "strep." I just wanted to clarify because I've seen these confused on the forum, and it wasn't clear from your post whether you knew. Just wanted to make sure.

 

I've had to get familiar with the difference b/c my ds10 has PANDAS and recurrent pneumonia (6 infections, 3 hospitalizations). He had the pneumovax 1 1/2 years ago because we were so concerned about his risk from H1N1, but it had nothing to do with treating PANDAS.

 

From Wikipedia:

"A significant human pathogenic bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae was recognized as a major cause of pneumonia in the late 19th century, and is the subject of many humoral immunity studies.

 

Despite the name, the organism causes many types of pneumococcal infections other than pneumonia, including acute sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, peritonitis, pericarditis, cellulitis, and brain abscess."

 

Apologies if I misunderstood your statements about pneumovax and strep, but wanted to make sure you (and others) understand the difference.

Edited April 21, 2011 by mama2alex

[peglem]

Thanks for that info. I'm curious though. Why is that the test which is done, and if it's failed, qualifies you for IVIG? Thanks

 

Nancy!

The pneumovax vaccine challenge gives the doctor an indication of whether the immune system is able to mount an IgG defense against streptococci (and no, this doesn't test for strep A response). Failing to mount an adequate response to the vaccine does not usually qualify you for IVIG off the bat- in most cases you'd also need a history of frequent and/or chronic infections that do not clear well. The rational for IVIG in this case is to give your body the IgG to protect against these infections since your own immune system is not making them or enough of them.

[browneyesmom]

The IgG titers are generally what would help to qualify you for IVIG... my daughter had deficient Pneumococcal in 2006, but improved and has held it after Pneumovax; however, her IgG levels remained significantly low when checked in fall 2010.

 

This is why I suspect she may very well have LD, actually. She is unable to mount an immune response to strep (which we *know* she has had for well over a year now - rapids) and her ISO and DNASE titers never spike... thus, it seems to reason that the same could apply for other infectious processes. We're following up for further evaluation to make a more clear determination.