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Posted 1/16/2020 4:34 PM (GMT -5)
I am curious which PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are available for Lyme and co-infections. The only one I have been offered is the DNA ConneXions urine test, but I have heard people refer to others. Are any covered by insurance?

My dog recently got a PCR blood test for tick-borne diseases: Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma. It was $80 and came back in two days. I don't understand why this is not available to humans!!!
Posted 1/16/2020 4:47 PM (GMT -5)
Any come back positive?
Posted 1/16/2020 5:37 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, Anaplasma. Doxy fixed her up as far as we can tell.
Posted 1/16/2020 7:06 PM (GMT -5)

saraeli said...
I am curious which PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are available for Lyme and co-infections. The only one I have been offered is the DNA ConneXions urine test, but I have heard people refer to others. Are any covered by insurance?
My dog recently got a PCR blood test for tick-borne diseases: Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma. It was $80 and came back in two days. I don't understand why this is not available to humans!!!

Igenex has PCR tests - The lyme is something like $250 (for blood)
Posted 1/16/2020 7:17 PM (GMT -5)
Is that for just Lyme, or a panel including other tick-borne infections?

Do people prefer the Western Blot for some reason?
Posted 1/16/2020 9:46 PM (GMT -5)

saraeli said...
Is that for just Lyme, or a panel including other tick-borne infections?
Do people prefer the Western Blot for some reason?

That’s just for lyme.
The pcr is hit or miss.
Positive or negative.

With the WB even if it’s negative - there can still be one positive lyme specific band that llmd’s will “accept” as a backup to a clinical diagnosis.
Posted 1/16/2020 9:54 PM (GMT -5)
PCR isn’t very sensitive at all for Lyme. For bartonella they usually use it.
Posted 1/17/2020 7:57 AM (GMT -5)
Does anyone know why PCR isn't sensitive for Lyme?
Why would Lyme DNA be harder to find than Bartonella DNA?
This is very interesting to me. With what I read on the forum recently about Western Blot interpretation being so subjective, I'm surprised that PCR is considered less reliable, but then again I have not studied microbiology in years!
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