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Igenex Western Blot or DNA Connexions PCR

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Posted 8/2/2018 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Is the Igenex Western Blot or DNA Connexions PCR urine test more accurate for lyme? I had the Igenex western blot 3 years ago and it was indeterminate. My parents don't believe I have lyme and want to retest.

Which one should I get done? The DNA test cost $500 which seems way overpriced. I'm not sure which one to have done. Is there any scientific evidence regarding which one is better?
Posted 8/2/2018 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
The Igenex is a WB based on antibody response.

The DNA Connexions - is a test that identifies the dna of the bacteria in your urine.


People have been getting good results with the DNA Connexions BUT not all LLMD's are accepting it.
The lab hasn't done validation studies - not sure if that's the sole reason why.


You could try the Igenex WB again and maybe this time you will pull a positive.
What was the IND based on? What bands were positive? or were there no positive bands?
Posted 8/3/2018 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, I will do some more research. If anyone has used either I would love to hear it.
Posted 8/3/2018 5:00 PM (GMT 0)

Sean.scott787 said...
Thank you, I will do some more research. If anyone has used either I would love to hear it.

Which bands were positive on your Igenex WB?

I was IgM positive.

My husband had band 31 positive as one of his bands...so his results were IND and then he did the Epitope test that confirmed band 31 was indeed borrelia...and that changed his IND result to a positive.
Posted 8/3/2018 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
My Igenex was negative - didn't have enough of the right positive bands.

My DNA Connexions was positive for Borrelia burgdorferi F7 and Ehrlichia chafeensis. I'm not positive but I think the F7 indicates flagella, because they also test for some Osp's, which are outer surface proteins. Since I was WB positive for band 41 (flagella), that makes sense. Nothing was found for any other infections tested for. I'm sure I have bartonella, too, based on symptoms.

I was glad I got the DNA Connexions test, but some people still get a negative. I had never been treated before I was tested. I suspect that could make a difference.

DNA Connexions was more expensive, but it also tested for a lot more stuff. Girlie is correct, though. Some LLMD's don't use it. Mine was not familiar with it but didn't dismiss it either.
Posted 8/3/2018 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

WalkingbyFaith said...
My Igenex was negative - didn't have enough of the right positive bands.

My DNA Connexions was positive for Borrelia burgdorferi F7 and Ehrlichia chafeensis. I'm not positive but I think the F7 indicates flagella, because they also test for some Osp's, which are outer surface proteins. Since I was WB positive for band 41 (flagella), that makes sense. Nothing was found for any other infections tested for. I'm sure I have bartonella, too, based on symptoms.

I was glad I got the DNA Connexions test, but some people still get a negative. I had never been treated before I was tested. I suspect that could make a difference.

DNA Connexions was more expensive, but it also tested for a lot more stuff. Girlie is correct, though. Some LLMD's don't use it. Mine was not familiar with it but didn't dismiss it either.

WBF - did you have any positive lyme specific bands?

LLMD's do look at that if you're an overall negative.

Dr. J treats all three B's. Some think it could be overkill BUT I would have been much better off if I had been treated for all three...as I spent way too much time on lyme and bart only. And now after all this time, I'm doing babesia anyway.

What's worse? just treating babesia in a timely manner...OR prolonging bart and lyme treatment ....plateauing and continuing to treat bart and lyme?

In my case...treating babesia...at least a trial to see if you respond is better...since untreated...it just continues to wreak havoc....
Posted 8/3/2018 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
None of these tests are currently accepted so I don't know how convincing they will be to your parents. Generally speaking PCR is more accurate because it removes variations in host response and potential cross-reactivity but you have to have the bacteria in the diseased tissue. Lyme is a deep tissue infection so you can't always expect to find DNA in the blood. Also, infections that are below the threshold of detection by PCR have been known to cause sepsis. So while PCR is usually considered pretty sensitive clearly it doesn't take much to cause some low grade inflammation.

If it were me personally I would save the money and go based off treatment response. If you're trying to convince your parents/other physicians using unvalidated tests doesn't seem like the best route. It's not just a matter of PCR versus western blot, it's the question of methodology, what kind of standards the lab is holding themselves to, and so on.
Posted 8/3/2018 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
My DNA Connexions test was a urine test.
Posted 8/3/2018 11:44 PM (GMT 0)

WalkingbyFaith said...
My DNA Connexions test was a urine test.

That's one I'm interested in. Apparently the bladder is frequently infected so I wonder if it might be better than blood.
Posted 8/3/2018 11:44 PM (GMT 0)

WalkingbyFaith said...
My DNA Connexions test was a urine test.

I think they only offer the urine test kit for Lyme.
Posted 8/4/2018 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
I had Igenix a few years ago and although it found 1 pos and 2-3 IND I was considered CDC negative. I have been getting sicker this year. Symps similar to what had before treatment 3 years ago. Mr llmd wants me to consider DNA Connextions but I'm worried I'll just a lot of money and they still won't find anything. I'm wondering if adrenal crash instead.

Anyway so dang sick this week reconsidering taking the DNA test. I tried calling them today when I was awake to get questions about their form answered but nobody answered phone...maybe I called too early. Also contacted massage center cause they want the little beasties provoked out of tissues, joints. Not looking forward to massage. I use to frequently get massages cause I was athletic, to help restore muscles. After infection if I got a massage I became extremely I'll, like a herx, for a few days following, usually bed ridden.

So being so sick already not looking forward to more sick(is that possible) and it will be so painful. I really don't understand what is going on. Relapse?
Posted 8/4/2018 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
I did not do a massage. I vacuumed the house and went for a walk as my "exercise." I'm too afraid to get a massage for the reasons you stated. I hurt enough without doing doing stuff to exacerbate symptoms.
Posted 8/4/2018 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
I had much better luck with IGeneX. So many positive key bands yet DNA was all negative. Just proves all this testing is a crap shoot. My LLMD just had me retest with IGeneX and LabCorp so it should be interesting to see what shows up.
Posted 8/4/2018 3:38 PM (GMT 0)

ToddPaul said...
I had much better luck with IGeneX. So many positive key bands yet DNA was all negative. Just proves all this testing is a crap shoot. My LLMD just had me retest with IGeneX and LabCorp so it should be interesting to see what shows up.

curious - ToddPaul - what's the purpose of the retest? (Since you had positive 'key' bands previously)
Posted 8/4/2018 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie- I told him I had just tested all negative through DNA Connexions and he seemed surprised and said he's seen a lot of positives so maybe there's just a smidgen of doubt there. I also haven't seen him in over 5 years.
Posted 8/4/2018 8:24 PM (GMT 0)

ToddPaul said...
Girlie- I told him I had just tested all negative through DNA Connexions and he seemed surprised and said he's seen a lot of positives so maybe there's just a smidgen of doubt there. I also haven't seen him in over 5 years.

But your Dr does know that the results won’t mean much if it’s going to be used to gauge whether you need to continue treatment?
Positive bands can continue to show even once were in remission and we can also have no antibody response and have active infection.
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