Is There a Definitive Test for Lyme Disease?

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My child had three Western blot (two done based on the same blood draw) from three different labs and none of the bands were consistent among the tests. Two were negative and one was positive. I lab reported 23 and 41 kd for an IGM and the other reported only a 33. One reported a 41 kd, another a 58 and one no IGG bands. One doctor diagnosed lyme and another conclusively said not lyme based on lab tests. CD-57 and c6 peptide are normal. I really wonder whether only the IGG is sufficiently reliable. The positive IGM might be a false positive for mycoplasmid infection. She is IGM positive for mycoplasmid-- but IDS says thats probably a false positive and no need to treat.
To treat or not to treat-- you cant rely on diagnostics tests and frankly I am not sure you can rely on doctors either.

helen of TN 12:37AM February 02, 2010

Thank you so much, Great information...You keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

Online Pharmacy of AL 2:44PM January 27, 2010

Thank you for your article about Lyme Disease. Some of your facts appear to be accurate, and I do applaud your attempts and am thankful for you writing about Lyme disease at all. This subject needs much more light shed upon it, nationwide.
I am writing regarding the statement, "Some Lyme Disease experts recommend treating with doxycycline for three days after removing an embedded tick since this will substantially decrease the likelihood that one would develop Lyme disease even if the tick were carrying the organism. " Additionally, the statement about the tests being 90% accurate is not true.
A well-known and quite qualified expert, David J. Volkman, MD, PhD, (Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at SUNY, Stony Brook; Board certified in Immunology, Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, and Internal Medicine, and Board Eligible in Infectious Diseases; former Senior Investigator at the NIAID; Chairman of Internal and External NIAID Review Boards; among first to isolate and clone human antigen-specific T lymphocytes, and active in retroviral investigations; and involved in both clinical and bench research in LD at Stony Brook beginning in 1985- need I go on?) testified on July 30, 2009 before the Infectious Diseases Society of America's Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines Review Panel. Dr. Volkman's testimony covered objections to treating inadequately (IDSA guidelines recommend treating with 1 doxycycline for tick bites in highly endemic areas, however, Dr. Volkman showed how this can effect antibody production, possibly causing a patient to never develop enough antibodies to test positive even if they have the disease.) The rest of Dr. V.'s presentation covered seronegative Lyme (cases he proved had Lyme yet tested negative) and evidence of persistence of the Lyme disease spirochete in some cases, particularly in those not treated within the first few months of infection. These facts were proven long ago, yet continue to be debated while thousands suffer.
What is going on? The medical community would benefit greatly by reading the book the American Medical Writer's Association awarded BEST BOOK 2009 - Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic by science journalist Pamela Weintraub.
"Experts" seem to disagree for various reasons (which may be best discovered by reading the book and CT. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's press release about the investigation of the IDSA Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines authors, which reportedly found serious conflicts of interest and problems, and resulted in a hearing on 7/30/09. Testimonies from both sides of the medical and scientific community should be watched and evaluated on the Infectious Disease Society's website, right now. Go to their site and watch each presentation,not just the ones you THINK may be good.
Perhaps it will help if medical providers familiarize themselves with the huge Lyme disease controversy. Speak up, before your family members are affected and cannot find help.

Liz Schmitz of GA 4:20PM January 25, 2010

The western blot has a long history of providing false negatives NOT false positives. This is an important distinction for infectious disease experts to understand. The CDC suggests that doctors rely on clinical observation for the diagnosis of Lyme and NOT to use the tests only for diagnostic purposes. The CDC decided to use the Western Blot blot because 2 of the decision makers hold patents for various technologies used by the Western Blot (as confirmed by the GAO inquiry). Allen Steere: developer of the test states very clearly in his testing guideline that the test may produce a false negative if the patient has received antibiotics within the last 12 years. He also states the test may produce a false negative after the initial 21 days of doxycycline. Very similar in nature to the seroconversion of syphilis. IDSA clear concerning their protocol; that some individuals may have frequent reoccurring symptoms after the initial phase of treatment and require retreatment. It is insurance companies who refuse to provide coverage for retreatment NOT the IDSA. UNC Chapel Hill took 84 patients with positive whole blood cultures and 16 with negative blood cultures. Where Lyme was identified by an epidemiologist under the microscope. Each of the 84 patients was give the western blot. Only 36% of the positive Lyme patients where discovered using the western blot. None of the 16 negative patients where identified by the Western Blot. Only 12% where discovered using genetic PCR sensitivity and again none of the 16 negative patients produce a false positive. The CD-57 veterinary test was more accurate than the Western Blot or PCRs.

to of NC 5:58PM January 22, 2010

Tell her to try to stay on her medicines and get through this - I am going through the same thing (complete with heart palpitations) in yet another attempt to kill this pernicious bacteria (have been suffering for years, trying to get doctors to presribe IV drugs, but insurance won't cover it).
What she is most likely experiencing is called a herx (short for herxheimer) which means that, as the antibiotics kill the bacteria, they release toxins into your system, which makes you feel even sicker and get a flare-up of existing symptoms as well as new and even weirder symptoms (that's how the doctor explained it to me). It is horrible and very hard to endure, but it is a sign that the medicine is actually working. Your support is also key to her recovery - she is lucky to have someone like you who believes her (that she is sick, some people think we are "malingerers" or whatever) and is there for her, asking questions, etc.
Keep fighting!

Tracey of PA 10:32AM January 19, 2010

From NJ. This Doctor is clueless. i went thru Hell for close to 10 years because of Dr's like him. Finally found a Doctor who not only cared but jnew so much more and actully asked questions and listened to his patients. Majority ofpeople never test positive w/bloodwork for Lyme. Thank Go there are other methods. Finally was diagnosed at the point of giving up and dibilitaton. Was on treatment for over 3 1/2 yesrs. I am off meds and doing well. However the residuals and chronic symptoms are sometimes very tough. Living w/aches and pain is a way of life, but you push thru because you actually have a life. This guy is clueless!

Cyndie of NJ 7:56AM January 16, 2010

Bitten of Georgia,
I too was appalled by this Doctors lack of knowledge.
I almost could not believe what I was reading.

Barb of CT 8:16PM January 14, 2010

Marie-I have a question for you. My mother in law is in her second week of antibiotic treatment for Lyme's. She is taking Septra DS, Minocin, and will start Omnicef and Flagyl next week. She is complaining of feeling so bad today that she wants to stop taking her medicine. She is experiencing awful dizziness, heart palpitations and leg throbbing. Is she experiencing a "herx"? What were your symptoms? Should she battle through? It is so hard to help take care of an elderly person and know what she is actually feeling. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have. Thank you!!!

Karla of GA 10:16AM January 14, 2010

The fact that so many patients endure months and even years of antibiotic treatment, often intravenous, shows that it helps eradicate symptoms and hopefully the bacteria. Just because you can't detect the bacteria doesn't mean they're gone. Thousands of patients can't all be fools, and it just doesn't make sense that people would want to be tied to, and pay for, years of antibiotics unless the positive effects made it worth it.

Bob of NY 6:57PM January 12, 2010

"Our current blood tests for Lyme disease are 90 percent accurate, and we know that a significant percentage of patients not only lack the bull's-eye rash initially described but lack a rash of any sort."
As an MD, you should be properly educate yourself and those who seek your advice/treatment. The testing is NOT 90% accurate and has been proven so.
The CDC uses the Blot as surveillance, not diagnosing. However, because doctors are too scared to actually test with testing proven to catch most all lyme infections, they simply use the Blot or Elisa for diagnosing. This leads to thousands of people undiagnosed and sick for a long time. Many are given diagnosis of Fibro, CFS, RA, etc...
Shame on you for not actually doing your research. You are just another doctor who adds to the problem. If this is what you believe and practice, you are a contributing factor for patients (for which you took an oath) to be misled. Disgraceful!

Bitten of GA 8:57AM January 11, 2010