Lyme

[jolenejoy]

When a western blot comes back with Igm antibodies and 2 positive lyme bands and negative for Igg with only the 41 band, does that signify that the lyme is acute and not something you've had for a while (long-term lyme)?  I want to try and understand if Lyme could have been present in the past or would the aero conversion have occurred and show Igg being positive and have more then I band.

[ngageme]

Here's what I have reported back by Igenex:

LYME IgM Western Blot
Bands:
**23-25 kDa   IND (Indeterminate)
**31 kDa ++ (positive)
**34 kDa IND  (Indeterminate)
**39 kDa +
**41 kDa ++

**83-93 kDa IND  (Indeterminate)

INTERPRETATION:
By IGenex criteria, IgM WB is considered positive if two or more of the DOUBLE-STARRED BANDS are present. The IgM is considered negative if less than 2 STARRED BANDS are present.

IGENEX IGM RESULT: POSITIVE
CDC/NYS RESULT:     POSITIVE

It is also important to understand that IND (Indeterminate) is a Trace of Protein binding and is an additional marker for possible Lyme exposure.

There are limitations due to non-specific binding of viral and other spirochetal antibodies.

An LLMD will be able to distinguish the pattern for Lyme, where as a regular physician will likely NOT!

Finally, a quote from Igenex:

"Diagnosis should not be based on laboratory tests alone. Results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical symptoms and patient history!"

I hope this sheds some light on finding answer to your question

[cave76]

I'm going to try to answer your question. But I may not be able to since it's not known what lab was used, what test(s) were performed.

You don't have to supply any more information, if you don't wish to.
But, briefly, even tests from the best of Lyme specialty labs have limitations. And even more briefly-----there's nothing that is 'for sure' with Lyme.

I take it you're trying to decide if you have acute (recent) Lyme or not. Do you remember having a tick bite?
Did you have a rash around that tick bite? (None of those are really important because many people never remember a tick bite or get a rash.)

The IgM and IgG bands aren't set in stone. They can vary from day to day in the same person. Of course labs have to make an educated statement about the most prevalent data, but Bb has many resources to outwit that data.

We'll try to help, if we can. In the meantime, I hope you don't have Lyme. Do you have symptoms?