Question about Dr. Cunninham Study

[acdrobert]

After a blissful few weeks of only faint verbal tics, Thomas seems to be ramping up for another bout of tics. He started the head shaking and should tics yesterday. So I was thinking that I would think about getting his blood drawn for Dr. Cunninghams study. I have the box that she sent me here. Quick question - I see that I have 2 red top tubes for blood. What are the narrow plastic tubes with the blue screw top caps for ? Thomas is soooo afraid of needles, labs, doctors offices etc that I really have to be on my game with the instructions. We can't do any redraws !

 

Many Thanks !

 

I have read for some of you that you got positive results even though they were on prophylatic abx (Azith for us now) What about steroids ? With our bout of Impetigo at camp in June Dr. K gave up another round of Prednisone which seemed to calm the tics down. Will that affect the lab results. ?

 

Thanks again.

[Guest asaxon]

After a blissful few weeks of only faint verbal tics, Thomas seems to be ramping up for another bout of tics. He started the head shaking and should tics yesterday. So I was thinking that I would think about getting his blood drawn for Dr. Cunninghams study. I have the box that she sent me here. Quick question - I see that I have 2 red top tubes for blood. What are the narrow plastic tubes with the blue screw top caps for ? Thomas is soooo afraid of needles, labs, doctors offices etc that I really have to be on my game with the instructions. We can't do any redraws !

 

Many Thanks !

 

I have read for some of you that you got positive results even though they were on prophylatic abx (Azith for us now) What about steroids ? With our bout of Impetigo at camp in June Dr. K gave up another round of Prednisone which seemed to calm the tics down. Will that affect the lab results. ?

 

Thanks again.

 

For us, at least, Dr. Cunningham just needed the serum, which was spun off by the lab that drew the blood and sent back to Dr. Cunningham in the plastic tubes. We did not need to send back the glass tubes.

 

I would guess that the prednisone might well affect the lab results; you should make sure to tell Dr. Cunningham about all medications that your son has taken recently. Dr. Cunningham and her lab assistants are very nice & responsive by email.

[T_Mom]

When we had our d's blood drawn the lab drew the blood out and then after "spinning it down" the lab put the blood into the plastic tubes for mailing.

 

It was my understanding that if you could not get the blood "spun" by the lab, then the blood was drawn right into the glass tubes and sent in the glass tubes.

 

You might want to check though on the particulars.

Also, do let them know the prednisone/antibiotic use -- I was told that these could make a difference to the results.

[acdrobert]

After a blissful few weeks of only faint verbal tics, Thomas seems to be ramping up for another bout of tics. He started the head shaking and should tics yesterday. So I was thinking that I would think about getting his blood drawn for Dr. Cunninghams study. I have the box that she sent me here. Quick question - I see that I have 2 red top tubes for blood. What are the narrow plastic tubes with the blue screw top caps for ? Thomas is soooo afraid of needles, labs, doctors offices etc that I really have to be on my game with the instructions. We can't do any redraws !

 

Many Thanks !

 

I have read for some of you that you got positive results even though they were on prophylatic abx (Azith for us now) What about steroids ? With our bout of Impetigo at camp in June Dr. K gave up another round of Prednisone which seemed to calm the tics down. Will that affect the lab results. ?

 

Thanks again.

 

 

Now I get it. Thank you !!

[Kayanne]

On June 5, when we took our dd to see Dr. Latimer, we asked about the Cunningham blood test, and she said that we would have to postpone treating her (with prednisone and azithromycin) until her blood was drawn. Of course that was not an option for us---but based on that I think the medications do effect the results.

[Buster]

(edited 7/27/09)

 

I originally posted that I didn't think azithromycin would have an effect, but now I'm not so sure.

 

There's a very interesting article (see http://www.jleukbio.org/cgi/content/abstract/78/6/1397) where it's possible that increased maturation of dendritic cells might cause higher CaM kinase activation. I'll keep searching to see if there's a study on CaM Kinase II and macrolides.

 

The anti-inflammatory property of prednisone is probably not an issue, but prednisone can also reduce activation of B-cells and this could reduce the concentration of antibodies. While that would normally be a good thing on theory of anti-host antibody, it would likely mess up the test.

 

Buster

 

 

 

On June 5, when we took our dd to see Dr. Latimer, we asked about the Cunningham blood test, and she said that we would have to postpone treating her (with prednisone and azithromycin) until her blood was drawn. Of course that was not an option for us---but based on that I think the medications do effect the results.

[P_Mom]

I was told that when kids that had taken prednisone had their blood drawn looking for these antibodies that Cunningham looks for....they had normal results.

[acdrobert]

I was told that when kids that had taken prednisone had their blood drawn looking for these antibodies that Cunningham looks for....they had normal results.

 

 

Thanks for the info everyone ! I really appreciate learning from your experiences !