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IGenex Babesiosis IFA test result after 4 months Merpon treatment

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Posted 1/8/2017 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I decided to run a expensive "IgenX Complete Co-Infection Panel With Bartonella FISH" test after 4 month Mepron + Azithromcin treatment, the result came back as:

B. microti IFA - IgM 40 (Negative < 20) Titer
B. microti IFA - IgG 40 (Negative < 40) Titer
Babesia FISH Negative

From reading the data, it shows I have active Bab (IgM is 40) even after 4 month Mepron treatment. But then I check the IGenix Website for the explanation of IFA tes, I got this:

"Positive Babesiosis titers are generally 1:160 or higher. Early in disease the titers may rise 4-fold to 1:2560. Later in disease the titer falls."

Just wondering anyone who had positive IGenex Babesiosis IFA test and what the result titer is, do you get higher titer more than 160 or around 40?

My LLMD wants me to stop Mepron but I kind of reluctant since I am still Bab active based on this test result. Any thoughts?

thanks as always.

Post Edited (davidy) : 1/8/2017 4:27:32 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/8/2017 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Haven't had an Igenex babesia test done.

This is what I read from Igenex:


IgM < 20 Negative

20 May or may not indicate active infection.

≥ 40 Indicates active infection.

IgG < 40 Negative

≥ 40 to < 160 May or may not suggest active infection. In patients with previously high titers, such titers may indicate resolving infection.

≥ 160 Indicates active infection.

Presence of both IgM and IgG together also indicates active infection.

There is a low level of cross-reaction between B. microti and B. duncani IFA tests. In geographic regions where both species are present, we recommend that patient sera be tested by both B. microti and B. duncani IFA tests.

A single negative IFA test does not rule out infection. Paired testing of acute and convalescent sera collected six to eight weeks apart is recommended for accurate diagnosis.
Posted 1/8/2017 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Girlie for your reply.
I promise that Genex changed their Website recently. The interpretation of IFA test was not like you just posted above. Interesting.
Posted 1/9/2017 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
i treated babesia very aggressively for 10 months and still showed up on Igenex swimming around. stubborn little buggers.
Posted 1/9/2017 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rikky1,
I had only chills as Bab hallmark symptom before Merpon treatment, but I developed short breath and heart palpitations on my 5th month of Mepron treatment. I don't know if it is Hex or the treatment brought more active Bab up. I just finished my 6th month Mepron and I really don't know if I should continue on Mepron or not.

Do you mind share your Bab treatment protocol? Does it help you symptomatically?

Mine is:
Mepron: 750mg/5cc one tsp twice a day for 3 weeks on/ 1 week off
Azithromycin: 500mg one cap M-F weekly x 3 weeks on /1 week off
Rifampin: 150mg one cap twice a day 6 days a week for 8 weeks.

thanks!
Posted 1/9/2017 1:27 AM (GMT 0)

davidy said...
Thanks Girlie for your reply.
I promise that Genex changed their Website recently. The interpretation of IFA test was not like you just posted above. Interesting.

Oh, really? I will have to change my notes...
Posted 1/9/2017 1:31 AM (GMT 0)

davidy said...
Thanks Girlie for your reply.
I promise that Genex changed their Website recently. The interpretation of IFA test was not like you just posted above. Interesting.

Okay - so I went to their website...and it has been changed.
It's got a whole new look.

...and obviously have changed their interpretations...too.
Posted 1/9/2017 2:23 AM (GMT 0)

davidy said...
Hi Rikky1,
Do you mind share your Bab treatment protocol? Does it help you symptomatically?

Mine is:
Mepron: 750mg/5cc one tsp twice a day for 3 weeks on/ 1 week off
Azithromycin: 500mg one cap M-F weekly x 3 weeks on /1 week off
Rifampin: 150mg one cap twice a day 6 days a week for 8 weeks.

i haven't really treated babs in a year i think i have it under control (even though its still swimming around in my blood) but i am on plaquenil which may be keeping the low bug load at bay.

mepron/zithro seems to be the first thing they give people for babesia. if that doesn't work well you can try a few rounds of coartem. maybe after that alinia and/or you can add the artemisian herb to your mix. i had good results with all of these after mepron/zithro wasn't knocking it down much.
Posted 1/9/2017 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Rikky1, thank you so much for the advise!
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