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Posted 4/30/2015 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I just received this email from my local elected official and thought I would share. Don't know anything about the test but I have heard that George Mason's Lyme research team is top notch.


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JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Delegate David Ramadan
Telephone: 703-348-7015
E-Mail: [email protected]

Ross M. Dunlap
Ceres Nanosciences
Tel: 1-800-615-0418 ext 202
E-Mail: [email protected]


Michele McDonald
George Mason University
Tel: 703-993-8781
E-Mail: [email protected]



Delegate Ramadan Announces $125,000 for Lyme Testing at George Mason University
~Ceres Nanosciences announces test is now available to patients. ~


Dulles, VA | May 1, 2015 — As the nation recognizes May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Delegate David Ramadan (R-87th) announced today that funding he requested for a groundbreaking new Lyme disease test developed by George Mason University has been included in Virginia’s 2015-2016 budget. Further, Ceres Nanosciences announces that the test is now available to patients under a new clinical study at Dr. Sam Shor’s clinic, Internal Medicine of Northern Virginia in Reston.


George Mason University’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM) would receive $125,000 to rollout the Nanotrap® based Lyme Antigen Test, which was developed jointly with Ceres Nanosciences.
“Lyme Disease is a serious issue affecting families across Virginia,” said Ramadan. “The funding I included in the budget will accelerate an innovative new test to give greater certainty to doctors, patients and families dealing with Lyme. This is a remarkable innovation which will help thousands of my constituents in Loudoun and Prince William.”


Delegate Ramadan requested the funding after working with GMU, Ceres and Loudoun physician Dr. Sam Shor over the last two years to add a new patient enrollment site for the clinical study of the test.


Dr. Lance Liotta, Co-Director of CAPMM and Medical Director of the Clinical Proteomics Lab at Mason, said the support from the Virginia Commonwealth provided by Delegate Ramadan made this innovative breakthrough possible. “Our test is completely different from past diagnostic tests for Lyme,” Liotta said. “Through our novel nanotrap technology, we can achieve a high level of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy that has never been possible in the past.


“Delegate Ramadan’s support for the new Lyme disease test developed by George Mason and Ceres Nanosciences has been exceptional and integral to its success. We are grateful to have such a strong supporter who both appreciates the issue that is Lyme disease, and understands the investment and resources required to deliver a new test that can provide immediate patient benefit. This funding allocation from the Virginia legislature will have an immediate impact on the availability of the new Nanotrap® Lyme Antigen Test that is now offered out of Mason’s clinical laboratory. It will leverage the significant investment made by Ceres Nanosciences already, and provide much needed funds to outfit Mason’s lab with new equipment and resources that will directly support the expansion of the Lyme Antigen Test, making this test available to more patients in the state of VA and beyond” said Ceres’ CEO, Ross Dunlap.

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Delegate David Ramadan represents the 87th House of Delegates District, which includes eastern Loudoun County and western Prince William County. He currently serves on the oldest & newest committees in the House of Delegates: Privileges & Elections (P&E) and Science & Technology (S&T), as well as General Laws Committee. He serves as the chairman of the P&E Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee. Delegate Ramadan is the co-founder and co-chairman of the Business Development Caucus. He also serves as an Alt. Commissioner on the Interstate Potomac River Basin Commission. To learn more visit www.DavidRamadan.com
Posted 4/30/2015 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Update: I called Dr. Schor's office to check into getting testing (even though I've already been diagnosed) and the test costs $500. Pretty steep but if as good as advertised it could save many in the early stages of the doctor carousel a lot of time and money (and suffering).
Posted 4/30/2015 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
New approach, exactly what is needed.

Hopefully since its very specific, it can still pick up the many strains.
Posted 5/1/2015 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was listening to a youtube video this morning of a boy who lives in Australia who said his urine test came back positive and he was waiting on the blood test - maybe this is was the urine test (i was wondering what it was)...
Posted 5/1/2015 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Oh boy!!! turn Keeping my fingers (& toes!!) crossed that this proves out to be that way!! It's just what we need!
Posted 5/1/2015 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed, Happyjo!!

As a matter of fact, we have MANY doctors that ignore the little bit that the CDC does get right: " If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. 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."

And I live in one of the states that is "worse off", as I can't even get the politicians to respond to my letters pleading with them to recognize that Lyme is in Arkansas, to help pass laws to insist that doctors tell patients that a negative test doesn't mean that the person doesn't have Lyme and protecting LLMD's so that hopefully we can get at least ONE in our state!!!

If I could (and I may yet) get a face to face meeting with just one of those politicians and shame them into acknowledging the seriousness of Lyme in our state, I'd take it!!
Posted 11/21/2015 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to bump this up in case anyone did this new 2015 lyme antigen test.

One of my "People"..... (ha ha, ..Drs....), was at the recent ILLIAD's pow pow and is all jumping up and down about this test. So either its awesome or they had some recent impressive exposure (sales guy)?.


CERES Nanonsciences Lyme Antigen urine test, its $400 now on their site

www.ceresnano.com/#!nanotrap-lyme-test/c64d

hopefully there are some "chronic lyme" postive results out there from this test..........? anyone?
Posted 11/21/2015 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, for the sake of some many to come, I hope this is true!

What a blessing.
Posted 11/21/2015 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm re-reading this. Could testing only the OspA miss others? Is this now FDA approved? (Didn't the FDA deny Burrascano's lab when their lab came out with its also tooted accurate test?).

It's fair that the state of VA has emphasized more the clinical evaluation, especially if testing falls short.

And why are all of these $ tests out of pocket for Lyme & yet not other diseases?!
Posted 11/21/2015 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
More info on it:

www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/studies-research/10911620-nanotrap-high-sensitivity-lyme-antigen-test

I am surprised on the limited use of it so far, if its that great, why dont we see its use? I googled, not much talk from patients using it. BUT it is new and not all LLMDs jump to the next thing or even know about it.
Posted 11/21/2015 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm waiting to hear more on it too before I recommend it's use.
Posted 11/21/2015 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am not sure if anyone posted this, but this is a link on the test study published Nov 4. I had requested a kit and this was in the email they sent me. I read through briefly and I'm not sure how accurate it will be for chronic lyme. Was thinking of using this test for my son.

www.translational-medicine.com/content/13/1/346
Posted 11/21/2015 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
If these companies would just cut to the chase, leave out the technical BS, and say if this works for new infections and old infections, they would get more customers. This test says its great for new infections, Igenics might need to wait a while to show, and then wont show if you wait too long.

I mean if you have new infection, symptoms all of a sudden, go bonkers treating it fast.

Its the chronic ones that are in question.

New tests come and go. The i-Spot test in Wisconsin was tested on many people here. And their testing people on a study again. But its a waist of time as this test has proven to NOT work on chronic lyme patients, who have low T cells. But many people have low T cells, just like low CD-57 in healthy people, they dont understand it yet.

eerrrrrrrrr!
Posted 11/23/2015 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
bump for monday morning
Posted 11/23/2015 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Another question that needs answering is, Since this is a urine test I would expect that it only picks up current infections rather than any exposure, right? It would save some problems for people whose doctors think its an old exposure.
Posted 11/23/2015 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
After reading the link Kyo provided (thank you!), I found this:
"Prompt antibiotic treatment of early stage Lyme borreliosis (LB) prevents progression to severe multisystem disease. There is a clinical need to improve the diagnostic specificity of early stage Lyme assays in the period prior to the mounting of a robust serology response."

This test is for early infections only.

"OspA urinary shedding was strongly linked to concurrent active symptoms (e.g. EM rash and arthritis)..."

So it's a good test for those that have early Lyme with a bulls eye and Lyme arthritis. Great, we already knew that the bulls eye was confirmatory of Lyme.
Posted 11/23/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Well since come docs say "lets wait and see if the bulls eye goes away", it might help some people but likely only if they know to ask for it.
Posted 11/23/2015 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Since I live in an area that all docs tell people that, Gkamom, I agree.
Posted 11/24/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
WHAT?

OMG, Yes, of course the rash eventually goes away, quite a while though, slowly.

And these docs think you'll be fine once the bullseye heals? I was hurting, hot, cold, tremors, dizzy, cant sleep...Dr: "ohh , you'll be fine, we dont know what you have, but lyme is only out east"

That was my experience 25-30 yrs ago and some still have this approach? I cant imagine ignoring the actual bullseye.

Insanity

Wish they had internet back then, (thats right kids), and wish I didnt have an HMO with one clinic who held the only key to "my" gates of medicine. SOL

pardon my venting..........

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Yes, looks like this test is only great for the newly effected. Which is why they dont mention anything else. yipidy do da
Posted 11/24/2015 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
astroman, I lived in CT and grew up in the area right around Lyme. Guess what even now docs won't order a Lyme test Bulls eye rash or not and I'm talking about in CT. Good luck finding a doc to treat it.

My cousins daughter has been sick for 6 years and I was up there recently. She got really sick on prom night. i asked if she had been tested for Lyme. My cousin said, funny you ask that, a doctor asked just that week. Did they get her tested? Nope, who cares that the kid as sick as she is won't graduate college. Why? Her symptoms are primarily gastrointestinal. Yeah right. Poor kid. Stupid doctors. Stupid parents. Who knows maybe when I start treatment and get better then they'll listen.

Kim
Posted 11/24/2015 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in Northern Arkansas - the Ozark Hills - we live in the middle of a forest essentially, and I have talked to countless parents of children and adults that have had a picture perfect bulls eye rash, and have been told by the doctor to wait to see if the rash disappears. When it does they are told "See? It wasn't Lyme disease after all, or that rash wouldn't have gone away".

It's this knowledge that pushes me to get my life & health arranged to start up a local support/information group. If these people at least knew there were options for treating at home, I know that many would take it over living with - or worse yet, watching their kids live with - these infections.

It's truly disgusting to know that every doctor in my area - of heavily wooded hills (/goo.gl/XqHccm) refuse to even recognize the bulls eye rash, and refuse to treat Lyme. The Vet's offices around here are constantly treating dogs and cats for Lyme, Bartonella and other tick borne infections though!!

Kim, you do have a chance once your cousin's daughter moves out, that she will talk to you on her own. Once she's not as heavily influenced by those that don't believe, you may have a window of opportunity to speak with her and present her with articles about Lyme and gastro issues.
Posted 11/24/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sad state of affairs, the denial & indifference to MSIDS.

Trav-beeeoootiful! (tho, these daze, like the "I see dead people" movie line, I see other insect-y things that taint my view cry).

And back to the urine test, the repeated mention of OspA, doesn't that raise a red flag? My cynical side is assuming it is targeting just a slice of the complex, thereby allowing sick patients to be turned away. And, of course, paving the way for a specific OspA vax.
Posted 11/24/2015 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
ANY antigen test will have significant issues when used for Lyme. An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. But... if the immune system is not functioning very well at all, then those antibodies will not be produced - which is why I was waiting before recommending this test to anyone.

As a matter of fact, there's not one single test that I would recommend for Lyme - we simply don't have a test that will accurately diagnose more than 50% of those that actually have the infection!!
Posted 11/25/2015 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Traveler, I wish I could get her to listen on her own but to her I'm a stranger. I was already moved to NC when she was born. But my uncle (her great uncle) is more like a grandfather to her. He has been the person helping me out with my Dad (besides my sister) and so he knows everything going on with me (my dad will move to NC to be near me when he completes rehab).

I can only hope that I get better and my uncle will say maybe you should listen to Kim. He's really the only one who my cousin will listen to. I find it funny though that she got sick and has been sick for 6 years, she got sick on Prom night, the doctor asked about Lyme, I asked about Lyme and they still decided not to test.

Of course, my aunt doesn't think very highly of me, don't know why? Jealousy maybe? My cousin drives a bus, I was an engineer. Not knocking bus drivers just that my aunt like several people in my family don't think I deserve to have the savings and things I have. That I should share with them. Doesn't matter that no matter what I give it won't be enough. One of my nieces actually said to my other niece, "I won't rest until I have everything they (my parents) own." Yeah right, my parents have nothing. I just spent $8000 on my mother's funeral and my nieces contribution was standing at my mother's death bed writing down a list of possessions she was going to get. She's out of luck. I have all their stuff and it belongs to my father. When he passes, I'm executor. She wants my mother's wedding rings, but they won't be part of the estate because I will have paid my father for their value. To my niece, too bad, so sad. She should have treated my parents better. Stealing from them ($50 a month on the phone bill for two and $1300 for furniture that was never paid for) is not what you do for your grandparents. Mind you he sold her the furniture because he had to move to a smaller apartment because without my mother's soccer he couldn't afford the rent. He still owed $700 on the furniture. That's ok, I'll see her in small claims court.

Didn't mean for this to be a therapy session, but thanks for listening.
Kim
Posted 11/25/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Always, Kim!! And I have been involved with families that are like that. It's heartbreaking when they don't see the value of the person and only their belongings. I can't really relate to that way of thinking, since I'm the exact opposite. I never had much of anything, due to always being so ill, and I learned quickly I would be a much happier person if I didn't want much. Such a shame that they loose the value of the person with their greed.

Keep up the good work then!! You are a guide post in the dark!!
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