Band 30

Regarding my question about different strains of lyme I want to ask about band 30 on the WB.  Doesn't it state that this band represent a European type?  What does this mean?  I have not been tested by Igenex and am trying to get my dr to sign for it ( he says that since my Quest test was Neg and only had 30 and 41 IGG I've only had lyme in the past).  He's obviously not lyme literate and says testing with Igenex will be a waste of money.  Should I have that Igenex testing done to check for other lyme indicative bands??

Thanks again.

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

I am not sure about the European Borrelia but you may be referring to the 30K Western band.  I can tell you that the criteria for a positive Western blot for Lyme Disease in North America is that at least two of the Borrelia burgdorferi genus-specific antigens (18K, 23K, 30K, 31K, 34K, 37K, 39K, 83K and 93K) were reactive in Western blots.  Unfortunately, the Quest tests are not very sensitive, so I would get your physician to go with Igenex.  On the other hand, he/she may be willing to treat you on the basis of signs/symptoms without a lab confirmation.  ProfGN

[stinkypinky]

Good afternoon.  What do you think of new findings that say fibromyalgia is a disease of the CNS and not of connective tissue?  Can a long-standing fungal infection lead to CNS disease?    Thank you for your consideration,  Baffled

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

In fact, it is both a disease of the CNS and connective tissue, especially if chronic intracellular bacterial infections are involved, such as Mycoplasma species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia pneumoniae, etc., because they can invade both tissues.  Fungal infections require loss of integrity of the Blood-Brain-Barrier because under normal conditions, these infections should not penetrate into the CNS.  When this happens, however, it is a potentially dangerous situation, because the fungal infections in the CNS are more difficult to treat.  ProfGN