One of the most challenging parts of navigating tick-borne diseases is diagnosing them in the first place. Unfortunately, recommendations by the CDC aren’t even up to date on the most accurate ways to test for tick-borne infections.
Standard testing for Lyme disease involves a two-tiered system using a conventional enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test, followed by a Western Blot test. The treatment of Lyme disease can be time-sensitive, and misdiagnosis is common, which is why it’s so important to keep developing more accurate tests.
The most recent advancement in Lyme disease testing utilizes PCR technology and culture testing. It’s important to know your options when navigating Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment, so let’s take a closer look at IGeneX’s newest advancement – the cePCR™ (Culture Enhanced PCR).
What is a PCR Culture Test?
You may be familiar with PCR testing in the context of COVID tests, but that’s not all it can be used for. Culture PCR is also considered the gold standard of testing when it comes to detecting tick-borne illnesses.
IGeneX is helping to pave the way for medical innovations in the field of tick-testing with the cePCR™ (Culture Enhanced PCR). Although just like with COVID testing, there’s a lot of confusion about how these tests work.
How exactly does the cePCR work? First, a clinical sample is taken, typically a blood sample. The sample is then incubated, or left to rest in a lab where microorganisms in the sample can multiply and grow.
After this, the sample is tested for pathogens using PCR technology. PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is used to detect genetic material from specific organisms. This is done using PCR primers which “copy” particular segments of a DNA sequence.
The PCR process shows providers whether or not certain bacteria or viruses are present – allowing for a more accurate diagnosis.
Advancements and Accessibility of The Enhanced PCR
Even though culture testing is one of the most accurate and effective testing methods for tick-borne infections, it has yet to be widely used for clinical diagnosis due to being too expensive and complicated.
Trial tests performed by IGeneX could detect rare tick-borne pathogens that are not usually found in the US, and probably would not be seen with your standard PCR test.
The cePCR offers higher sensitivity than standard PCR testing, improving accuracy.
It’s also beneficial for early-stage detection. Approximately 70-80% of people infected with Lyme develop an Erythema migrans (EM) rash anywhere from 3 to 30 days after the tick bite, which makes it a helpful diagnostic tool.
The cePCR test can be critical for people who are considered moderate or high risk for Lyme disease, but do not have an EM and haven’t developed enough antibodies for other testing methods to detect an infection.
Another massive benefit to the cePCR is how specific it is. Being able to detect the particular bacteria causing an infection allows providers to prescribe the right antibiotics, improving patient care.
Lastly, if a pathogen grows in culture, it is guaranteed to be active and not a remnant of a prior pathogen or past infection.
Lyme Disease Coinfections
About 1 in 4 ticks that carry Lyme disease also carry another pathogen. That means that if someone is only tested for Lyme disease, there’s a good chance physicians won’t test them for coinfection with another tick-borne infection – and possibly miss a vital treatment window.
Not with enhanced culture PCR testing. IGeneX’s trials have also been able to detect samples of:
- Three strains of Lyme disease, including the most common in the U.S., Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Two strains of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever.
- Three strains of Babesia.
- Three strains of Bartonella.
- Two strains of Anaplasma.
Many of these infections require different treatment methods, even in the case of coinfection. Therefore, detecting all present conditions means more comprehensive and hopefully successful treatment.
Protecting Yourself From Ticks
IGeneX is currently the only lab to perform culture testing for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, like Bartonellosis, Anaplasmosis, Rickettsiosis, and Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever.
Many tick-borne infections can be prevented by being proactive about tick protection. If you live in or are traveling in an area where ticks are common, be sure to remember these potentially life-saving tips:
- Cover arms and legs. You can also tuck pants into long socks.
- Wear long hair up in a ponytail.
- Use a bug spray containing DEET or a natural blend like lemon-eucalyptus oil.
- Thoroughly check yourself, your pets, and your children for ticks after spending time in tick habitats.
- If you are bit by a tick, try to save the tick for testing as well.
The risk of tick-borne diseases can be daunting, but advancements in testing technology have vastly improved outcomes in terms of diagnosis and treatment. If you or a loved one are bit by a tick, consider utilizing IGeneX’s cePCR™ test. Now more accessible than ever, this test offers more specificity, sensitivity, the ability to detect multiple infections, and improved sensitivity.
Doctors and patients can choose between three test panels for culturing:
- Borreliosis cePCR Test Panel – Includes two-week culture, plus PCR for Lyme and TBRF.
- Co-infection cePCR Test Panel – Includes two-week culture, plus PCR for Babesia, Bartonella, HME, HGA, and Rickettsia.
- Tick-Borne Disease cePCR Test Panel – Includes two-week culture, plus PCR for Lyme, TBRF, Babesia, Bartonella, HME, HGA, and Rickettsia.
