Band 31 is very specific for Lyme disease. If positive and the patient is experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease, many doctors may feel treatment is warranted.
Lyme disease and Bartonella
An IgXSpot test is an enzyme-linked immunospot assay that detects human T cells reactive to borrelia/pathogen-specific antigens in vitro. It is best used in early and late stage disease.
Lyme disease, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
IFA indirectly detects pathogen-specific IgG or IgM antibodies in patient serum. If pathogen-specific antibodies are present in the human serum, fixed pathogen on the slide will fluoresce bright green when viewed with a fluorescent microscope.
Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests are direct tests that look for pathogen-specific DNA in a sample, such as blood or urine.
Lyme disease
Western blots are qualitative immunoassays in which antibodies are visualized. They are used to determine whether pathogen-specific antibodies are present in patient serum or plasma. These tests are generally more sensitive and specific than the ELISA and IFA tests.
Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, Bartonella, and Babesia
The ImmunoBlot is widely considered the most accurate test for detecting tick-borne diseases. It uses recombinant proteins instead of proteins from natural sources, and it looks for more species than traditional ELISA and Western blot tests, reducing the risks of false negatives due to the inability to detect antibodies to a certain strain or species. Learn more about the best test for Lyme disease.
ELISA is a plate-based assay technique designed for detecting and quantifying pathogen-specific antibodies. Detection is accomplished by assessing the conjugated enzyme activity via incubation with a substrate to produce a measurable product.
Knowing species can be important when prescribing treatments, which is why many IGeneX doctors choose our ImmunoBlots. However, a non-species test, such as the Broad Coverage Assay, is also a good option to just determine if a patient is positive for exposure to a disease.
An antibody is your body’s natural defense against foreign agents (antigens).
An antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
PCR, LDA, and FISH, which are direct tests that look for the DNA of the pathogen.
A direct test looks for the pathogen or bacteria in a sample, such as blood or urine. An indirect test measures the immune system’s response to an infection, such as the creation of antibodies.
IGeneX offers ImmunoBlots, Western Blots, IFA, and IgXSpot.
IGeneX offers PCR, cePCR (Culture Enhanced PCR), and FISH.
1.800.832.3200
For the most up to date and accurate information and articles about ticks and tick-borne diseases, please visit Tick Talk Resource.
Enter your email address to receive periodic marketing communications from IGeneX.
