Lyme Testing: What to Know.
Did you know that the traditional Western Blot test for Lyme disease is not adequate testing to detect all Borrelia groups and species? Most of us are aware of “co-infections”, such as Babesia, Anaplasma, Bartonella, etc., however, other Borrelia groups and species are often overlooked when it comes to testing. Igenex, a laboratory that has a focus on developing high quality testing for Tick Borne Illnesses, recently discontinued their Western Blot to be replaced with the Lyme Immunoblot. The Lyme Immunoblot is more sensitive and specific than the traditional Western Blot, which only tests for one species of Borrelia, B. burgdorferi. In one test, the Lyme Immunoblot will assess for nearly ten species of Borrelia; including B. burgdorferi B31, B. burgdorferi 297, B. californiensis, B. mayonii, B.afzelii, B. garinii, B. spielmanii, B. bissettii, and B. valaisianaa.
Igenex also offers a separate Immunoblot test for the other, often overlooked, group of Borellia: Tick Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF). In addition, the TBRF Immunoblot tests for several species, including B. miyamotoi, B. hermsii, B. turicatae, and B. parkerii, TBRF spp. Symptoms of TBRF can be similar to symptoms of Lyme. A negative result on a traditional Lyme Western Blot will not tell us enough information about exposure to TBRF or other species of Borrelia.
Moreover, the Igenex Immunoblot includes B. burgderfori band 31 and 34, which are two highly specific bands for Lyme that were taken out of the traditional Western Blot over 20 years ago with the onset of the LYMErix vaccine. However, it has been over 20 years since the Lyme vaccine has been discontinued and the traditional western blot test has not been updated. This adds additional limitations on the traditional Western Blot to provide reliable results.
The more accurate testing that the aforementioned Immunoblots provide gives more information about speciation and helps to clarify non-specific results on traditional Western Blots. It still stays true that testing is used to support the diagnosis of Lyme and needs to be correlated clinically. Working with a Lyme literate practitioner is essential for this process, as diagnostic and treatment methods are ever-evolving.
https://igenex.com/igenex-immunoblot-test
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