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Lyme CD57 Test
Anybody heard of this, i keep reading about how good it is. Was wondering if i should ask for this test to be done.
ABOUT THE TEST.
THE CD-57 Striker Panel Test
Our ability to measure CD-57 counts represents a breakthrough in Chronic Lyme Disease treatment. It can be used to help determine how active the infection is, how well the treatment is working, and whether, after treatment ends, a relapse is likely to occur!
This is how it works: Chronic Lyme infections are known to suppress the immune system. The Lyme spirochete can affect all major cell types of the immune system, but it most clearly can impact a specific subset of the natural killer cells. This is called the CD-57 subset. Just as in HIV infection, which suppresses T-cell counts, Lyme suppresses Natural killer cell count such as CD57. As in HIV infection, where abnormally low T-cell counts are routinely used as a marker of how active the infection is, in Lyme we can use the CD-57 count to indicate how active the Lyme infection is. When Lyme is active, the CD-57 count is suppressed. We currently are having our tests run by LabCorp because published research on this test was based on their methods. At this lab, the expected range for the CD 57 count is above 60. However, in the chronic Lyme patient, CD-57 counts are usually well below 60 and may be at risk with levels of 60-100.
This test can be run at the start of therapy, then every several months to document the effectiveness of treatment. One hopes to see a stable number or a rising trend over time. When antibiotic therapy is finally at an end, if the CD-57 count is not above 60, then a Lyme relapse is more likely to occur.
Test interpretation: Low CD57 occurs in chronic Lyme or when the disease has been active for over 1 year. A review of the affects of other infections, only Lyme spirochetes lowers the CD57. Following is the criteria established by research.
Test interpretation: Low CD57 occurs in chronic Lyme or when the disease has been active for over 1 year. The count reflects the degree of infection. It is not a diagnostic test but is used as a marker for Lyme being active. Test done by LabCorp.
>200 is normal
60 Lyme activity indicates improvement
....................................................................
Has anyone had this done, do you think its the new test or just another way of making money out of us lot lol.
It does seem to make sense though. Maria
ABOUT THE TEST.
THE CD-57 Striker Panel Test
Our ability to measure CD-57 counts represents a breakthrough in Chronic Lyme Disease treatment. It can be used to help determine how active the infection is, how well the treatment is working, and whether, after treatment ends, a relapse is likely to occur!
This is how it works: Chronic Lyme infections are known to suppress the immune system. The Lyme spirochete can affect all major cell types of the immune system, but it most clearly can impact a specific subset of the natural killer cells. This is called the CD-57 subset. Just as in HIV infection, which suppresses T-cell counts, Lyme suppresses Natural killer cell count such as CD57. As in HIV infection, where abnormally low T-cell counts are routinely used as a marker of how active the infection is, in Lyme we can use the CD-57 count to indicate how active the Lyme infection is. When Lyme is active, the CD-57 count is suppressed. We currently are having our tests run by LabCorp because published research on this test was based on their methods. At this lab, the expected range for the CD 57 count is above 60. However, in the chronic Lyme patient, CD-57 counts are usually well below 60 and may be at risk with levels of 60-100.
This test can be run at the start of therapy, then every several months to document the effectiveness of treatment. One hopes to see a stable number or a rising trend over time. When antibiotic therapy is finally at an end, if the CD-57 count is not above 60, then a Lyme relapse is more likely to occur.
Test interpretation: Low CD57 occurs in chronic Lyme or when the disease has been active for over 1 year. A review of the affects of other infections, only Lyme spirochetes lowers the CD57. Following is the criteria established by research.
Test interpretation: Low CD57 occurs in chronic Lyme or when the disease has been active for over 1 year. The count reflects the degree of infection. It is not a diagnostic test but is used as a marker for Lyme being active. Test done by LabCorp.
>200 is normal
60 Lyme activity indicates improvement
....................................................................
Has anyone had this done, do you think its the new test or just another way of making money out of us lot lol.
It does seem to make sense though. Maria
Hi oh my doctor hasnt mentioned it rico, i was just curious, because on another lyme board they say unless you have it you wont know for definte you have lymes etc and i must have it, almost a mantra YOU MUST HAVE CD57 lol, so i thought i would ask the guys that know.
I have no intention of having it done lol. I dont think i could in the UK as it seems the blood has to arrive really quickly at the lab.
I have no intention of having it done lol. I dont think i could in the UK as it seems the blood has to arrive really quickly at the lab.
If you or your doc still have some doubts about Lyme, it would be another useful piece of information. My doc didn't order it for me as my Western Blot was sufficient. My PA says we'll run the CD57 late in my treatment to see how I am doing.
Think of a criminal trial where there isn't any absolute hard evidence to convict, but there are so many circumstantial things that ithe jury is convinced the defendant is guilty. That is kind of like a clinical diagnosis of Lyme. When you don't have hard evidence, then you consider all the indicators and come to a conclusion.
It seems to me that you certainly have enough evidence to conclude you have Lyme. You have proof of a tick bite with Ehrlichia, you have consistent and persistent symptoms, and you have signs of it in your test results. If the cost of the test isn't an issue, it can't hurt to get the test. It is one more piece in your puzzle. But, it seems to me that your doctor could make the diagnosis without it.
Think of a criminal trial where there isn't any absolute hard evidence to convict, but there are so many circumstantial things that ithe jury is convinced the defendant is guilty. That is kind of like a clinical diagnosis of Lyme. When you don't have hard evidence, then you consider all the indicators and come to a conclusion.
It seems to me that you certainly have enough evidence to conclude you have Lyme. You have proof of a tick bite with Ehrlichia, you have consistent and persistent symptoms, and you have signs of it in your test results. If the cost of the test isn't an issue, it can't hurt to get the test. It is one more piece in your puzzle. But, it seems to me that your doctor could make the diagnosis without it.
My test, not taken by an LLMD showed negative when I was positive.
Jackie, is the one you mentioned more specialized?
Jackie, is the one you mentioned more specialized?
With all the quackery out there, you are right to be suspicious, but this test is for real.
If you are looking for data on it, search not only Striker CD57, but also search **Stricker** CD57 (with a 'c' in the name) -- it has been misspelled so often that it assumed by some that 'Striker' is correct, and it shows up (mis)spelled that way in many places. The test was devised by Dr Stricker and first written up by him and Dr Burrascano (one of the good guys in the Lyme mess).
The more test data a doc has, the better s/he can surmise what's up with you.
If you are looking for data on it, search not only Striker CD57, but also search **Stricker** CD57 (with a 'c' in the name) -- it has been misspelled so often that it assumed by some that 'Striker' is correct, and it shows up (mis)spelled that way in many places. The test was devised by Dr Stricker and first written up by him and Dr Burrascano (one of the good guys in the Lyme mess).
The more test data a doc has, the better s/he can surmise what's up with you.
I think it is important to keep in mind that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. From the CDC (which many Lyme patients/LLMD's find to be too stringent on the definitions of Lyme and its diagnosis:
"Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods."
Any testing you have done can help doctors diagnose you, but outside of cases where there is acute onset after a known tick bite, a diagnosis of Lyme is often developed based not just on Lyme testing but also on symptoms, history, ruling out other diseases.
For what it's worth, my CD57 was ~150 before I started treating (when I felt my worse) and then was only in the 40' after 3 years of treating. In my case my LLMD did not feel that the CD57 test was a good indicator of my health, but I know for others the values do track with their progress.
The CD57 testing that I had was covered by insurance, so I don't know much about its cost or money making potential, lol.
Take care
"Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods."
Any testing you have done can help doctors diagnose you, but outside of cases where there is acute onset after a known tick bite, a diagnosis of Lyme is often developed based not just on Lyme testing but also on symptoms, history, ruling out other diseases.
For what it's worth, my CD57 was ~150 before I started treating (when I felt my worse) and then was only in the 40' after 3 years of treating. In my case my LLMD did not feel that the CD57 test was a good indicator of my health, but I know for others the values do track with their progress.
The CD57 testing that I had was covered by insurance, so I don't know much about its cost or money making potential, lol.
Take care
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