FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

NEW TEST HELPS IDENTIFY LYME DISEASE VICTIMS

IGeneX Reference Laboratory’s Patent Approved in California

 

Palo Alto, CA 25 June 2002 — IGeneX Laboratory today announced that the California Department of Health has approved its patented test that identifies the presence of a malaria-like parasite (Babesia) in people also infected with Lyme disease. The exclusive Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) Assay was also accepted in New York in May, 2002.

According to IGeneX Reference Laboratory CEO, Dr. Nick Harris, “The FISH Assay is an important advancement in the detection of Lyme disease which infects as many as two hundred thousand Americans a year.” Babesia is a malaria-like parasite. It’s carried by the same tick that carries Lyme Disease. Before Lyme can be effectively attacked, many physicians believe that you must first treat Babesia.

IGeneX Reference Laboratory’s exclusive test can identify Babesia in as few as 0.1 percent of all infected cells. The Physician can then prescribe simple antibiotics to eliminate the Babesia and then treat the Lyme disease. “This patented test, performed only by our lab, will help physicians more efficiently treat Lyme and will greatly decrease the suffering of Lyme patients,” Dr. Harris continued. “Before the development of the FISH Assay, it was difficult to determine why some patients with Lyme were not responding to treatment.”

Symptoms of Lyme disease can include a small red rash in the shape of a bull’s-eye, joint pain, chronic fatigue, and severe memory loss. Without appropriate testing, Lyme can be misdiagnosed as any number of neuromuscular diseases and inappropriately treated, leading to years of suffering and a decreased chance of getting the patient’s condition under control. Anyone who goes outdoors to garden, hike, or even play a round of golf can be bitten by a Lyme-carrying tick.

Dr. Harris says, “Lyme disease is a growing concern in this country, and IGeneX is dedicated to working with the medical community to help diagnose it in the most efficient way possible."

For further information, please contact:

CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Contact	Lyme Disease Expert
Christi O’Connor	Dr. Nick Harris
Medallion Media	IGeneX Reference Laboratory
(415) 883–2491	(650) 424–1191

IGeneX, Inc.
795 San Antonio Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
Tel. 650.424.1191 / 800.832.3200 Fax. 650.424.1196