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Brucella testing?

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Posted 11/7/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I read the link on brucella the other day, more overwelming info.

Is there a cheap "standard" test available for this that ins covers.?

Another $200 + test is not another bill I want LOL.
Posted 11/7/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Astro - Do you think it's necessary to test for it? How reliable is the test?

Also - it seems that when treating for bart - it may take care of brucella. As, it's the same group of antibiotics. I see doxy and rif as a combo that's often mentioned.
Posted 11/7/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I dont rememmber any test specifics, thats why I'm asking. I was on doxy for a long time though.
Posted 11/7/2015 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
My dr did a pcr brucella test, but it came back negative... I doubt if testing is reliable...
Posted 11/7/2015 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Doxy by itself will never get rid of Brucella, just like it won't get rid of Bartonella when used as monotherapy. You have to have at least two- probably 3- antibiotics for treatment to be successful. The two most used are Doxy and Rifampin, with Bactrim being the usual third addition.

But, the best and most successful combo is Doxy with IV Streptomycin. That's according to the literature I have seen.

You can get typical antibody testing done through Quest Labs. Other chain labs have it too. If you have insurance, that would probably be covered? I would think it would be. I just had a family member tested recently, but have not gotten the bill for it.

I know MDL in New Jersey does PCR for 5 species and is only $29.90 (total). You can order the kit and have them send it directly to you. Then, you just need to take it to your doc for them to draw it and send it off.

http://www.mdlab.com/resources/testing-menu/ (It's the last "B" listing on this page).

I'm still not sure how good this test really is since it is so cheap. But, you won't waste much money if negative. There are pros and cons with both Antibody and PCR testing.

Of course, the gold standard is culture. But, who is doing it, and who is culturing it long enough? Unknown.

The other possible good test is the Rose Bengal Test. But, there again, who offers it? Here are a couple links comparing it to the others:

http://tinyurl.com/ney2mrw

http://tinyurl.com/q58j68h
Posted 11/7/2015 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Tooty,
My pcr, just for Brucella, was €149 ($160)...
Posted 11/8/2015 1:17 AM (GMT 0)

MarieLS said...
Tooty,
My pcr, just for Brucella, was €149 ($160)...

Hi MarieLS. That's probably a fairly average price for it (I know Clongen's Brucella PCR is approx. $200.00). I don't know why the MDL PCR price is so cheap.

Since PCR is not that sensitive, I chose MDL because I am self-pay. I was well aware of the typical "negatives" with PCR testing. So, I didn't lose much.

MDL is a reputable lab for the most part. I have heard rumors that they turn out more "negatives" than they used to, though. MDL used to be a "go-to" lab for Lyme Western Blots, but not so much anymore. I wonder if politics have influenced the sensitivity of their tests (especially Lyme tests).
Posted 11/9/2015 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all!
I tested positive for Brucella with a antibody test through my local laboratory. I was convinced I had Lyme disease, although all testing was completely negative. I demanded doxy from my doctor, my life was falling apart and I could barely walk anymore. Brucella likes the sacrum and hip joints, which made me have horrible tremors of my legs and severe pain when I walked. Once started on appropriate antibiotics (doxy/rifampin/Bactrim ds) the herxheimer was unbelievable. I felt that my sacrum was breaking in half. Doing much better now though. It was my infectious disease doctor in PGH PA that found I had brucella. I did read IM streptomycin and doxy is the most successful treatment, but I must trust in my ID doctor with my current regimen which she stated since my neuro was effected, she choose my above regimen. I sure hope it works because I can't imagine ever going back to the way I felt. I wanted to die. It was just plain awful and extreme torture to feel the way I did. I was also convinced (before brucella diagnosis) that I had babesia as well due to air hunger and bruising easily. Well I have come to know now, that brucella and babesia share common traits. I can't help but to wander about the poor people who don't know they have this disease. A lot of people get treatment for what they think is lyme when in reality its brucella, which is commonly misdiagnosis'd as lyme, they both are multi system bacterial infections. Anyways, hope everyone is feeling well. Any positive brucella tests out there?
Leigh
Posted 11/9/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Leigh - I can't recall if you ever tested for Lyme through Igenex?
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