Immunoblot is Best Test for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia—Here is Why
This video article on testing has two parts.
- First, I review the differences between IGenex Immunoblot and Armin or Infectolab Americas Elispot testing for the big three tick-borne infections of Borrelia (Lyme), Babesia and Bartonella.
- The last section of the video compares IGenex Immunoblot and Galaxy Labs PCR tests for Bartonella.
There is clarifying information below the video. Here you can find more information about the meaning of sensitivity and specificity. I also identify the different strains IGenex detects versus the more limited strains Armin or Infectolab Americas detects. Finally, I explain why I do not use Vibrant Labs or DNA Connexions testing.
Terms and Definitions for Tests
To help understand when to use a test or the meaning of a result physicians consider the test sensitivity and specificity.
- Sensitivity is the ability of a test to find an illness in all people with the illness.
- Specificity is the ability of a test to correctly identify people without an illness from all people who do not have the illness.
IGenex Immunoblots are Best Because They are Most Sensitive and Specific
IGenex Immunoblot testing is more sensitive for Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella testing than Armin and Infectolab Elispot testing because it looks for reactions to more strains of each infection.
- Borrelia Tests 325 and 335. These tests detect antibodies against eight strains including B. afzelii, B. garinii, and B. burgdorferi. Test 325 detects IGM antibodies and Test 335 detects IGG antibodies. Get both tests no matter how long you have had the illness.
- Bartonella Tests 374 and 384. The test detects antibodies against the family of Bartonella which includes 15 types thought to infect humans. In addition, it detects specific antibodies against four specific strains named B. henselae, B. vinsonii, B. elizabethae, and B. quintana. Test 374 detects IGM antibodies and Test 384 detects IGG antibodies. Get both tests no matter how long you have had the illness.
- Babesia Tests 900 and 905. The test detects antibodies against the family of Babesia which includes B. odecoilei. It also detects specific antibodies against two specific strains named B. microti, and B. duncani. Test 900 detects IGM antibodies and Test 905 detects IGG antibodies. Get both tests no matter how long you have had the illness.
Armin Elispot only detects T white blood cell reactions against
- three strains of Borrelia (B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii);
- one strain of Bartonella (B. henselae); and
- one strain of Babesia (B. microti).
Infectolab Americas Elispot only detects T white blood cell reactions against
- one strain of Borrelia (B. burgdorferi);
- one strain of Bartonella (B. henselae); and
- one strain of Babesia (B. microti).
In the video I explain why IGenex Immunoblot is more sensitive than Galaxy PCR for Bartonella.
A Word about Vibrant Labs and DNA Connexions
Both labs offer various types of tick-borne infection testing. I do not support using these labs due to the rate of false positives I see clinically. In addition, neither of these labs have performed adequate validation studies showing the accuracy of their testing methods.
More Information About the Various Methods to Test for Lyme
For more information about the various methods to test for Lyme (Borrelia) see A Review of Lyme Infection Tests: Pass or Fail.
Disclaimer
The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.
