Lyme Test help

[mdmom]

My DD12 has been clinically dx with Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella. She is serologically positive for Babesia (WA1), serologically negative for Bartonella (but has the 100% diagnostic "stretch mark" rash), and serologically negative for for Lyme (only Band 58 positive on CDC Western Blot).

 

We used Neuroscience Labs for Lyme testing, which looks for Bb cytokine response and Bb inflammation response. It is not an antibody test like the Western Blot. With the Neuroscience test, she was negative for cytokines but positive for inflammation to Bb. The doctor said this suggests that she is not infected with Bb, but another strain of Borrelia, possibly European or Asian Lyme. The test challenges the blood sample with only Bb, no other strains of Lyme.

 

I HOPE YOU ARE FOLLLOWING, AS I AM HAVING A HARD TIME EXPLAINING MYSELF....

 

Now are LLMD wants to do Igenex testing since we are having to move forward with more aggessive treatment (IV abx) and need more proof of a Lyme positive test.

 

I contacted Igenex and they only test for Borrelia Burgdorferi (North American Lyme). What is the point of doing this test if we are looking for a different strain of Lyme? Also, anyone out there have ideas for testing for other strains of Lyme?

 

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[SSS]

Hmm, I'm not sure, but you could call Igenex and ask them about it.

My WB from Igenex did have specific lyme only bands come through,

but it was the Igenex PCR blood test that came back positive...you could ask them about different strains for the PCR test, too--

[Orion]

I contacted Igenex and they only test for Borrelia Burgdorferi (North American Lyme). What is the point of doing this test if we are looking for a different strain of Lyme? Also, anyone out there have ideas for testing for other strains of Lyme?

 

The major difference between IGeneX and the other Lyme tests is that IGeneX uses several strains when they make up their test kit- not just one. This is why it is a more sensitive test than just about any other available.

 

From your other post, you already know that MDL does do PCR testing for a few different Lyme strains. Just keep in mind that a PCR test is much like looking for a needle in the haystack. If it is found, that is undeniable proof of exposure to that strain (or germ). But if the DNA isn't in that very small blood sample that is being tested, the negative result just means that it wasn't found this time around.