NBC
news just reported on one of the newer technologies to diagnose Lyme
disease, known as the Nanotrap test. I discuss the Nanotrap test in my
new book "How Can I Get Better?" in the
context of a broad tick-borne testing panel. Here is an excerpt
regarding testing strategies: "If you are doing testing for the first
time, testing with a Lyme ELISA, or C6 ELISA, and IgM/IgG Western blot
is generally a good idea, along with IgM and IgG Anaplasma/ Ehrlichia
and Babesia testing, since these are the most commonly transmitted tick-
borne infections (with Borrelia miyamotoi). If the ELISA is negative,
perform a C6 ELISA, which is more sensitive. For the IgM and IgG Western
blots, consider IGeneX laboratory in the United States, as it uses two
strains of borrelia, the B-31 and 297 strains, which improves
recognition of borrelia-specific bands versus using only the B-31 strain
used by most commercial labs. Use other indirect tests such as the IFA
and LTT (ELISPOT) if the above tests are indeterminate or negative, and
consider antibody testing through Imugen for Borrelia miyamotoi, if it
is available in your state. Direct testing using PCR for B. burgdorferi
and B. miyamotoi, as well as the Lyme Dot Blot Assay (LDA), the Nanotrap
test, and culture tests (Advanced Laboratory) can also be used...The
Nanotrap test was published in 2015, as a new urine antigen test for
detecting early stage Lyme and can also evaluate treatment. PCR's can
also be performed on whole blood, serum, urine, breast milk, skin, and
CSF, but due to the low numbers of bacteria usually present in
specimens, samples can be negative and multiple tests may be necessary.
TGen in Arizona is presently working on a newer generation PCR test to
improve sensitivity". I will be at the Focus on Lyme conference in
Arizona, February 23 & 24, 2017, discussing newer testing and
treatment regimens, where Paul Keim from TGen will be present to discuss
his updates on LymeSeq 2.0. I hope to see you there.
