LOOKING AT LYME DISEASE - MSIDS: nanotrap

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Monday, 4 May 2015

LETS GET LYME DISEASE TESTING RIGHT

Three new Lyme Disease tests on the horizon

DNA Sequence Testing

DNA sequencing-based tests for Lyme disease and Lyme disease-like Borrelioses

DNA sequencing, namely the Sanger sequencing technology, is the commonly used “gold standard” for validation of the results of all other nucleic acid-based clinical tests. Ötzi the Iceman who died 5,300 years ago had Lyme disease which was diagnosed in 2012 by DNA sequencing of the genomic DNA remnants of Borrelia burgdorferi preserved in the cadaver. We are using the same approach to diagnose
Lyme disease and Lyme disease-like borrelioses when the pathogens are still in the blood, in the joint fluid or in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. This technology is especially useful in testing for Borrelia miyamotoi infections because its “diagnosis currently relies on the use of tests to detect DNA of the organism”, as stated in a CDC guideline [3].

'Researchers at Columbia University are beginning a study of a new test for early Lyme disease.

The study is examining SpiroFind, a test developed in the Netherlands.'

"The nice thing about this test — if it works as we anticipate it will — is that you will be able to identify active infections in patients in early disease," said Dr. Brian Fallon, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center at Columbia University. "Right now, the tests are only 30-50 percent sensitive in early disease."

This was published by the Poughkeepsie Journal last year.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/health/lyme-disease/2014/04/02/new-lyme-test-gets-study/7231729/

and

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20140403/NEWS01/304030023/New-Lyme-test-gets-study

Nanotrap® Lyme Antigen Test (Nanotrap® LA Test)

A GAME CHANGING TOOL FOR LYME DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

There is a critical need for a fast, reliable, and accurate Lyme disease test

The Nanotrap® Lyme Antigen (LA) Test is a novel, high sensitivity, DIRECT test for Lyme that will provide valuable information to assist a physician in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease at most stages of infection.

Unlike other clinical Lyme disease tests that are INDIRECT, the Nanotrap® LA Test is a non-invasive test that provides highly sensitive and specific direct detection of the Lyme antigen, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), in a patient’s urine sample.

The Nanotrap® LA Test can provide valuable information, at anytime in the infection cycle, about the presence of the Bb antigen when used at the time of initial infection, during and after a course of treatment, and in some cases of recurrent disease.

http://www.ceresnano.com/#!nanotrap-lyme-test/c64d

"The winds," says Dr. Richard Horowitz, medical director of the Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, "are starting to change."

Horowitz believes that in the coming years, research will reveal that a vast number of other conditions commonly viewed as being distinct — such as arthritis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome — are linked to Lyme.

Dr. Kenneth Liegner, a Pawling-based internist, said treatments will also depend on better tests.

The above is an interesting article in the Poughkeepsie Journal link to the full article

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/health/lyme-disease/2015/05/03/lyme-disease-fact-book/25735589/

Dr Brian Fallon Key note speaker at a Public Health England meeting in March 2015 said that these are exciting times, regarding research into Lyme Disease. He said that there were one or two promising tests being developed.
http://lookingatlyme.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/dr-fallon-presenting-at-lyme-disease.html

The consequences of finding a reliable test for Lyme Disease could have a huge impact on the management of treatment for Lyme disease patients throughout the World.

Lyme Life written in 2009

I started suffering with arthritis in mainly my large joints especially my knees 6 years ago. The symptoms varied and I remember saying that every joint was affected except my elbows to one doctor. I was told it would be hormonal and to take the usual supplements cod liver oil or glucosamine ( I would certainly recommend buying shares in the companies producing these supplements) They had no noticeable affect.

All my symptoms deteriorated significantly over a few weeks,4 years ago. Hips shoulders and knees being the worst and I started with muscle weakness in upper arms and upper legs. I had difficulty standing and walking across a room. I was unable to walk upstairs and my husband was making plans to convert to a downstairs bedroom. I had seen 5 doctors and 3 Rheumatologists and put on steroids for Poly Myalgia Rheumatica diagnosis. I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.

I have X rays and scans showing signs of osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. ( later note.- the X rays done some years into treatment showed my hands completely normal no signs of inflammation or RA confirming how they felt - normal) I have been retired early from the Civil Service having lost my job not to mention my earning potential. My illness seemed to progress through my body not affecting the same joints left to right at the same time. I had bursitis in left hip, right hip, left elbow. I had synovial thickening in both wrists. At that time I could not lift and hold a magazine so lifting a kettle I could only do if a third full and with two hands. Each joint in my hands fingers feet and toes were affected. I had swallowing difficulties and many other symptoms. None of this describes the endless and awful pain whenever I moved or the tiredness but inability to get quality sleep.

Two years ago my GP gave me Amoxicilin for a sinus/throat/chest infection. All my arthritis symptoms improved. The course ended the symptoms deteriorated I started a second course the symptoms improved. The improvement was more significant than when I had started taking steroids. This led my GP to suspect Lyme Disease. I laughed because we do not travel abroad but she said they had had other cases in the surgery in the early stages of tick bite and Erythma Migrans rash. She said but you have not had a bite. I said oh yes I have I had two on my ankles with rashes, March 05 this was confirmed on her computer when I had seen a locum doctor. My worst symptoms were waking up feeling rigid and having to painfully flex every joint in my body before struggling to get up. The only other time I had experienced this was in May 2003 during a flu like illness like no other I had ever experienced. At that time I had a bite and similar rash on my right foot which lasted like the other rashes about four weeks. I had also consulted the surgery and it was dismissed as a virus. I walked our dog daily in the woods adjacent to our house where the deer roam, prime tick area. Thus started my very lengthy search about Lyme Disease leading me through Lyme Disease Action to a doctor who specialises in this illness. He confirmed my GP's suspicions. I never had a positive blood test but then they are antigen tests and there is much research that shows they are unreliable. In my case the year of steroids and many weeks antibiotics could have affected the results. So with a clinical diagnosis and following ILADS International Lyme and Associated Disease Society guidelines I continued on antibiotics for two years. Both my doctors continued to treat me despite of Health Protection Agency advising against long term antibiotics. I am now nearly 100% recovered I have no pain or muscle weakness. I can walk upstairs something I could not do for three and a half years. I can garden do house work and live a normal life. I still need to pace myself and with only a few months to 60 will not be looking to return to work. Life is such a joy. Sadly there is much controversy about Lyme Disease and doctors in UK are taught that it is so rare. Well where I live in Guildford I have been in contact with a dozen other people with it so perhaps not so rare as HPA would like us to believe. I am in touch with nearly 2000 other patients through a chat line Eurolyme most had been misdiagnosed with several other illnesses. Look at UK charity Lyme Disease Action if you want to read more about this illness. There are many MP's taking an interest in the problems surrounding diagnosis and treatment see above charity links into a recent meeting at the House of Commons.

Thank goodness there are some thinking doctors around who have courageously treated me against opposition and I have made such a miraculous recovery albeit rather a lengthy one. One day there will be many more people who are helped with their chronic illnesses when IDSA starts taking note of what our courageous LLMD’s are doing following ILADS Guidelines.

ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Poly Myalgia Rheumatica, Arthritis, Bell’s Palsy, MS,MN, ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Heart Block, Stroke, Psychiatric, gastric problems the list is endless. Not all suffering from Lyme Borrelia but how many are even properly assessed for it.

UPDATE

UPDATE 10 January 2012