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New Tests Available at IGeneX
Effective April 30, 2002, IGeneX is offering the following tests:
Bartonella henselae PCR Bartonella henselae is commonly associated with Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and Bacillary Angiomatosis (BA) in immunocompromised patients. Recently Eskow et al, 2001, Arch. Neurol, 58:1345–7, presented evidence that B. henselae is also a potential human tick-borne pathogen and that it can be a co-infecting agent with Lyme Disease in the central nervous system. They found elevated levels of B. henselae-specific antibodies in these patients using the immunofluorescent assay. B. henselae-specific DNA was detected in blood by PCR. We have developed a PCR assay that can detect B. henselae-specific 16S rDNA in blood, or ticks. The assay is highly sensitive and specific. There is no cross-reaction to Bartonella quintana, Ehrlichia species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia, or blood parasites such as Babesia, Leshmania, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, West Nile Virus and human DNA. Babesia WA-1 PCR Babesia WA-1 is endemic in the West Coastal region of the US. Several cases of Babesiosis, caused by Babesia WA-1 have been reported. We have recently developed a highly specific and sensitive Babesia WA-1 PCR assay that detects Babesia WA-1 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from EDTA whole blood, and ticks. There is no cross reaction to Babesia microti, Plasmodium falciparum, and other tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia, and West Nile Virus. The Limit of Detection of the assay is 10–100 copies of the rDNA fragment spiked into EDTA whole blood. This corresponds to 1–10 parasites per ml of whole blood. Lyme Tests — Lyme Dot-Blot Assay and Lyme Multiplex PCR Assay We have extended our menu to include two Direct Lyme Tests: Lyme Dot-Blot Assay and Lyme Multiplex PCR. Lyme Dot-Blot
Assay (LDA): The LDA was designed for the qualitative detection of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific antigens in human urine. The assay detects B. burgdorferi-specific antigens 23–25kD, 31kD, 34kD, 39kD, and 93kD. The test is now also available for Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF). Lyme Multiplex
PCR: The Lyme Multiplex PCR assay is designed to detect DNA directly from clinical specimens and ticks. We have extended our menu to include miscellaneous Clinical Samples such as skin biopsy, lymph node, breast milk, semen, joint fluid, etc. Within the next few weeks you will receive the new IGeneX Innovations containing more information about these tests. As always, please contact me if you have any specific questions. Sincerely, Nick S. Harris, Ph.D.,
ABMLI IGeneX,
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