Help interpreting IGeneX Lyme test results - what does this mean?

[Antares in NYC]

Hi everyone,

I just got the results of my IGeneX Lyme tests, and while it looks clearly positive on some results, it looks negative in others. It does look confusing all around, so I would appreciate it if someone with the right knowledge could tell me what all this means:

TEST 1:

IGENEX IgM RESULT: POSITIVE
CDC/NYS RESULT: POSITIVE
Positive bands detected:​

• • 18 kDa. ++
  • 31 kDa. +
  • 39 kDa. ++
  • 41 kDa. ++
  • 58 kDa. ++
  • 93 kDa. IND

TEST 2:

IFA (Lyme Immunofluorescence Assay): >80 [POSITIVE]
(Interpretation titer <40 negative; 40 equivocal; = or >80 positive)​

TEST 3:

LYME IgG RESULT: NEGATIVE
CDC/NYS RESULT: NEGATIVE
Positive bands detected:​

• • 39 kDa. IND
  • 41 kDa. +

TEST 4:

MULTIPLEX LYME PCR SERUM
Genomic: Negative
Plasmid: Negative​

TEST 5:

MULTIPLEX LYME PCR WHOLE BLOOD
Genomic: Negative
Plasmid: Negative​

What does this all mean? Do I have Lyme or not? Can I be treated? Looks like I was exposed, but is it active or not? I'm really confused on this one. IgM and IFA are clearly positive, but IgG and PCR both negative. Any help deciphering this would be extremely helpful, thank you!

 

[Antares in NYC]

For reference, I wanted to post here the results of a Lyme test from 1998 (one year after my first CFS onset), from a Lyme literate doctor in Boston. While all the Lyme tests I have taken have always been either negative or inconclusive, this one was interpreted by the doctor as proof that I had been exposed to the Borrelia pathogen. These were the Western Blot results back in 1998:

IgM: non reactive

IgG: equivocal. Positive bands detected:
23++
41++

IgM antibodies: equivocal. Positive bands detected:
41++​

I was on doxycycline for a year after that, until the Western Blot tests came fully negative.

Also, back in 2005 a different doctor in Europe did a very deep checkup (in my long quest to find out what was wrong with me). This doctor told me that I had been exposed to Borrelia at a point in my past.

All other tests through the years, Elisa's, Western Blots or PCR tests always came out negative for Lyme, from doctor to doctor, years apart.

Now this IGeneX test tells me positive on IgM, negative on IgG. I just don't know.

I'm really tired of this chase, 15 years already, without a clear answer as to what is wrong with me. So, so friggin tired.

Ps: in the meantime my EBV titres are off the charts. Higher than ever.

• EBV Early Antigen Ab, IgG: 16.9 high (normal range: 0.0 - 8.9 U/ml)
• EBV Ab VCA, IgG: 71.8 high (normal range: 0.0 - 18.0 U/ml)
• EBV Nuclear Antigen Ab, IgG: 27.2 high (normal range: 0.0 - 18.0 U/ml)

Plus the new off-the-charts numbers for IgA2 too, on top of things.

 

[Martial]

Yes, you not only have lyme but even CDC positive lyme! This is much harder to catch then the others! You are very lucky because of that you can get coverage from insurance for treatment..

I was negative on both but only showed slight positive brands on another part which indicated activity, unfortunately the sicker a person is or just sometimes negatives can be very common. Lyme disease is much more of a clinical diagnosis then a blood test unfortunately, false positives don't usually occur but false negatives are VERY common.

You have a very obvious confirmed result though right on the first part Test 1 IGm/CDC NYS. I would suggest getting in touch with a lyme literate doctor local to you as soon as possible for proper treatment.


If you have symptoms now it means the old infection never cleared or was re activated in some way, most likely I think its a much higher chance of being lyme then something else if this is your history case. You were not on adequate treatment to clear any infection before that I can promise, doxy alone only clears infections if you catch it IMMEDIATELY upon infection, it also does not target co infections.

You have your answer to the goose chase now lol, just use better treatment.. I highly suggest you check out the Cowden protocol at Nutrimedix.com, maybe discuss it with an LLMD.

 

[Hanna]

According to a presentation from Dr Petra Hopf Seidel (one of the specialists in Lyme in Europe), works of Dr Eva Sapi have shown that the use of doxycycline (monotherapy) helps the Borrelia BECOME PERSISTENT, and doesn't destroy at all the bugs in their cystic form. And therefore shouln't be prescribe alone for Lyme (but only associated with an ABX efficient at the intracellular level , in case of co-infections).
Maybe, if you took the doxy as a mono ABX therapy, that is what happened...

 

[Martial]

That is why bio film treatment is so important, alongside treating co infections.. Rarely is it just borrelia that is transmited in tick bites these days, most also carry different co infections like Myco, bartonella, erhlicca, babesia, Rocky spotted fever, etc.

 

[Antares in NYC]

According to a presentation from Dr Petra Hopf Seidel (one of the specialists in Lyme in Europe), works of Dr Eva Sapi have shown that the use of doxycycline (monotherapy) helps the Borrelia BECOME PERSISTENT, and doesn't destroy at all the bugs in their cystic form. And therefore shouln't be prescribe alone for Lyme (but only associated with an ABX efficient at the intracellular level , in case of co-infections).
Maybe, if you took the doxy as a mono ABX therapy, that is what happened...

If I recall correctly, I took doxy alone for a few months. Then the doctor increased the dosage of doxy and added plaquenil for a few extra months.

 

[Hanna]

Plaquenil is supposed to work great intracellularly, and is often given in addition to an anti protozaire like Flagyl or Tinidazole to reach better synergy.
Dr Hopf Seidel found the combo Mynocycline/Tinidazole/Plaquenil particularly efficient according to what I read. But plaquenil presents a risk of serious ocular complications, so she advises to take its herbal equivalent Artemisia Annua.

 

[soxfan]

Were you tested for any of the co-infections associated with a tick bite? I actually never had a "positive" Lyme test but did test positive for Bartonella. For that reason I was treated for both Lyme and Bartonella. It seems as though your IgM indicates recent exposure where the IgG is old exposure. Do remember that the Lyme bacteria does not hang out in your blood as it travels into your muscle tissue, organs etc. That is why these tests are difficult.

It is also interesting that your earlier test had positives on the IgG but not really on the IgM. I was told by the great Lyme doctor in NY that band 41 is only part of the puzzle and only having that band means nothing. That was my problem. I had a 41++++ and 4 other Lyme bands only IND.

If given doxy immediately after a known bite then 4 weeks would be sufficient. My husband and son were bitten and went right to the ER and given this and neither ever had any problems.

I have been dealing with this for 10 years now and still am not well. I am fairly certain I just have permanent symptoms from the initial infection since I was not treated until 2 years later. I could write a book on what I have been through.

 

[Hanna]

From the Bettehealthguy site :
"In many traditional infections, IgM is an indication of recent infection whereas IgG is an indicator of late infection. With Lyme Disease, there appears to be a cycling between IgM and IgG and thus, these are not accurate indicators of the length of time the infection has been present in most cases."

I remember having read from Dr Burrascano that IgM + wasn't always a sign for a recent infection. You may present IgM+ for months and years. Moreover, having IgM+ along with IgG- could be explained by the incapacity of the immune system to build a normal response. I am sorry, this is just from memory. I havn't written the reference .

 

[Antares in NYC]

That is why bio film treatment is so important, alongside treating co infections.. Rarely is it just borrelia that is transmited in tick bites these days, most also carry different co infections like Myco, bartonella, erhlicca, babesia, Rocky spotted fever, etc.

Hi Martial,
Do you have any specific recommendations on how to treat, dissolve or break through the biofilm?

For the record, I also tested positive for Bartonella in addition to Lyme IgM.

 

[Martial]

Hi Martial,
Do you have any specific recommendations on how to treat, dissolve or break through the biofilm?

For the record, I also tested positive for Bartonella in addition to Lyme IgM.

In regards to IGg, and IGm they are horrendously inaccurate, even the higher tests. There is no real way to test and know if you have it out of your system. In fact for most it is thought that you will never be able to clear out the entire infection but to put it into remission for the reminder of ones life, kind of like Mono where it will always be in the system somewhat but you remain asymptomatic.

Until there is a better way to completely eradicate the infection this is how it is I suppose, of course it is possible that it could be compleletely eradicted over time and with enough treatment but there is no real way to test that as of yet. Likewise soon they are coming out with an actual cure that starves off the bacteria. It kills them by shutting down their ability to use manganese to reproduce, this is still in trial and testing phases though and hard to know what the final product will bring but most hopeful treatment there is. This will completely surpass anything like extended antibiotic use and will make things much more efficient.

Bio film treatment usually consists of things like serrapeptese, grapefruit seed extract, other enzymes umm.. I use something called inflamezyme which has all the different enzymes in it. Also something called Interphase +, and certain antibiotics I believe.. There are other things too I just cannot remember off the cuff.

 

[Antares in NYC]

Bio film treatment usually consists of things like serrapeptese, grapefruit seed extract, other enzymes umm.. I use something called inflamezyme which has all the different enzymes in it. Also something called Interphase +, and certain antibiotics I believe.. There are other things too I just cannot remember off the cuff.

Hi Martial, thanks for the recommendation. I am taking Interphase Plus and Lumbrokinase to help fight the biofilm.

As a general update, here's the latest after meeting with my doctor:

• My doctor explained that yes, I do have Lyme, the test results are more than clear (both IGenex and CDC) and that the IgM numbers may not be a factor here. Keep in mind I have had several inconclusive Lyme test results in the past, plus I have all the classic symptoms.
  
  
• On top of that, yes, I do have all the markers for ME/CFS, including dangerously low levels of NK1 cells and reduced NK1 function, not to mention off-the-charts titers for EBV, and high HHV6. So I do have Lyme AND CFS. Double punched. I'm sure the weakened immune system has a lot to do with all the pathogens eating me alive.
  
  
• Since last summer, we have uncovered the following: in addition to the Lyme, extremely high EBV, and HHV6, we have found co-infections like Bartonella, cPneumonia, and a mysterious high level of IgA2 that we are following up; undetermined gut flora infection is suspected. Oh, did I mention my previous apartment had mold? Yes. I may have been exposed to several types of mold for years, on top of it all (not black mold, though, but 5 other types, including several strains of penicillium).
  
  
• My doctor has changed my prescriptions a bit, increased the famvir dosage, added new and stronger antibiotics including flagyl, and we are testing for mycotoxins too. I have added a number of supplements to help attack the biofilm (like Interphase Plus, Lumbrokinase, and others).

I started the new medications about a week ago. Holy Herxing, Batman! The herx effect from these medications has been brutal. Feel extremely sick, feverish, extra fatigued, and now every joint in my body aches, day and night. This is not fun. Hope this gets better.

Best regards, everyone.

 

[Patrick*]

Hi everyone,

I just got the results of my IGeneX Lyme tests, and while it looks clearly positive on some results, it looks negative in others. It does look confusing all around, so I would appreciate it if someone with the right knowledge could tell me what all this means:

TEST 1:

IGENEX IgM RESULT: POSITIVE
CDC/NYS RESULT: POSITIVE
Positive bands detected:​

• • 18 kDa. ++
  • 31 kDa. +
  • 39 kDa. ++
  • 41 kDa. ++
  • 58 kDa. ++
  • 93 kDa. IND

TEST 2:

IFA (Lyme Immunofluorescence Assay): >80 [POSITIVE]
(Interpretation titer <40 negative; 40 equivocal; = or >80 positive)​

TEST 3:

LYME IgG RESULT: NEGATIVE
CDC/NYS RESULT: NEGATIVE
Positive bands detected:​

• • 39 kDa. IND
  • 41 kDa. +

TEST 4:

MULTIPLEX LYME PCR SERUM
Genomic: Negative
Plasmid: Negative​

TEST 5:

MULTIPLEX LYME PCR WHOLE BLOOD
Genomic: Negative
Plasmid: Negative​

What does this all mean? Do I have Lyme or not? Can I be treated? Looks like I was exposed, but is it active or not? I'm really confused on this one. IgM and IFA are clearly positive, but IgG and PCR both negative. Any help deciphering this would be extremely helpful, thank you!

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I received my IGenix results and they are the same as yours. IgM is positive by BOTH IGenix standards and CDC/NYS standards. But IgG was negative under both standards. Babesia was negative. Did not get tested for any other co-infections. I had a prior Western Blot test in 2010 that was negative.

These results really surprised me as I was mostly taking the test to rule out Lyme once and for all. I'm still a little skeptical, but it's the positive CDC that makes me think twice. My understanding is that the CDC standard is known as a conservative standard that, if anything, under-diagnoses Lyme.

Antares, have you done Lyme treatments? Have you found anything that is helpful. I am very* reluctant to go down the Lyme rabbit hole.