BORRELIATESTI - MIELENKIINTOINEN ARTIKKELI

[Bb]

Lähettäjä: Soijuv Lähetetty: 28.4.2004 9:47

Tämä testi (RIBb) testaa antigeenia (vasta-aineen aiheuttajaa) eikä antibodia (vasta-ainetta):


Bowen Research and Training Institute, Inc. is a research facility in Palm Harbor , Florida . After finding that there were few accurate tests for Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), researchers at Bowen Research and Training developed a new direct immunofluorescent test that identifies the Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) antigen.

This research project has found the Bb antigen in whole blood, breast milk, amniotic fluid, placental tissue, semen, eye fluid, tooth, foot nodule, shoulder fluid, spinal fluid, finger joint fluid and African dust. This test, called the Rapid Identification of Borrelia burgdorferi (RIBb) test, looks for an antigen of the Bb spirochete. Findings are documented with digital photography.

This method of testing is of particular importance for Bb because current serology tests measure only antibody response beginning three to four (3-4) weeks following onset of active Lyme disease, whereas the antigen of Bb is present within twenty-four (24) hours of contracting the disease. In addition to the RIBb test, a buffy coat blood smear stained with Wright Giemsa is examined to identify other tick borne bacterial infections such as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichia (HGE), and Human Monocytic Ehrlichia (HME), which are seen in the white blood cells (WBC). The parasite Babesia is often seen intracellularly in the red blood cell (RBC). All three infections can be identified in the same individual.

We have now tested over 2900 specimens including over 700 very sick children from all geographic areas and, as previously described, all are positive for the Bb antigen. The RIBb test has been validated by Mattman's culture method, yielding the same results on over three hundred (300) same draw blood specimens. An independent laboratory using thirty (30) same draw blood specimens has also confirmed the RIBb test. Appropriate, specific and non-specific positive and negative controls are performed on each specimen.

We have recently developed a titration serial dilution method for quantitating the amount of Bb antigen in the blood. This may help to differentiate the carrier state from the patients with serious disease by comparing persistence of fluorescing structures. This method will also help us to determine the efficacy of antibiotic and other treatment therapies. We strongly recommend that physicians order the serial dilution RIBb test pre and post antibiotic therapy to determine the efficacy of treatment.

In 1998 Dr. Lida Mattman cultured Borrelia burgdorferi by supporting the growth of cell wall deficient organisms in 43 out of 47 blood samples from patients with the signs and symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. In that study there were 23 out of 23 negative controls in patients without signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. For the last four years Dr. Mattman has not had a negative culture for Borrelia burgdorferi. All specimens have cultured out cell wall deficient Borrelia burgdorferi organisms.

A large epidemiological study needs to be done with a sensitive specific test for Borrelia burgdorferi to help understand its many complexities.

This study should alert us that Lyme disease is a very serious problem, quite possibly the fastest growing epidemic in the world, and one that is very difficult to diagnose and treat. The RIBb test as well as the identification of the presence of other tick borne infections is vitally important so that the disease can be diagnosed early in order for treatment to be started immediately to prevent the morbidity of chronic Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.

Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D.