Reliable Bartonella titer?

[911RN]

Hello All,

Have a question regarding my 14 year old neurotypical, healthy son. No issues or illnesses BUT he has stretch mark type rashes suspicious for Bartonella rashes. They come and go- sometimes more prominent and purple then fade away. Has them on the backs of his arms and some on his flanks/hips. Seems to follow like life cycle of TBI?? He is not overweight. He has grown like a fool the past 2-3 years so they could be stretch marks(?) but I have been watching them and it seems to be more than just stretch marks due to changes in color and the more and less prominence over time intermittently.

 

Is there a reliable titer for Bartonella? From what I have read it is all a bit iffy??? I'm just planning on taking him to Peds for eval- not going to delve into LLMD at this point in child that is healthy without symptoms although it is concerning. This is my outdoorsy kid- he has pulled off multiple ticks over the years. We are not in high Lyme area but that is no consolation for Bartonella.

 

What have the Lyme forum gurus have to offer on this??

 

Thanks, in advance, for any replies!

[philamom]

My daughter gets her Bartonella Henselae IgG/IgM tested through Specialty Laboratories in Valencia, CA (now a division of Quest- but not the same as the Quest bartonella test). It's covered by our insurance. Others prefer Igenex Bartonella Antibody & Fish test.

Edited January 25, 2012 by philamom

[911RN]

My daughter gets her Bartonella Henselae IgG/IgM tested through Specialty Laboratories in Valencia, CA (now a division of Quest- but not the same as the Quest bartonella test). It's covered by our insurance. Others prefer Igenex Bartonella Antibody & Fish test.

 

Thanks- that gives me a good starting point. Our hospital uses 'traditional' Quest lab. I'll have to check into it.

[Orion]

What have the Lyme forum gurus have to offer on this??

 

Document everything! Make sure you take some pictures of the rash - incuding dates. You never know when the pictures will come in handy.

[911RN]

What have the Lyme forum gurus have to offer on this??

 

Document everything! Make sure you take some pictures of the rash - incuding dates. You never know when the pictures will come in handy.

 

 

Great idea- I thought about that. Taking pictures when it is more prominent and not. Think I will do that! Thanks for suggestion.