do you find that when you shave you get this ingrown hairs

[unclear]

Mine then turn to a pink pimple and then inside once it gets to the surface it has inside a curly hair, that hurts to pull it out. Are this the fibers. I am s lost right now. Had doc appt yesterday with a infectous disease doc, who by the way treated the other women on the island that has been to a california doc, he was the one that had her on IV therapy. He looked at my head and said yes I see lesions. Now his info is incorrect one of the articles written about Morgellons is from one of his old professors that does not believe in it. But he said because I have graves disease which is a auto immune system, he is going to look into if I could take plaqunil. He said he did not like the side effects of that drug, he mentioned that I might have a fungus disease. LOL. Anyway open minded. He goes by text book, so to me he was saying that if there is something in my medical history that says I am allowed to take that drug he might prescribe it. Need to find out what lab they use for the Lyme test. I don't want to shave my legs for every time I do I get these pimples, and they hurt. Found great tweezers on QVC called Mark V they have all kinds of them I got the ones that pull hairs ontop of the skin. Eyes not much better, Things not much better. Does anyone open there windows to there house. The lady two house's behind me is now getting bit by something she has no idea what it is. The Baby birds are fine, so far, I still need to do the testing on them. Hubby is getting the bite marks but no moving or stinging. They have him in PT therapy because of his back pain, I told him his back pain is not real back pain, but the morgellons sitting there. They have gotten most of my teeth, don't know what I am going to do about that. Thanks Unclear

[ladycolorado]

hi unclear glad at least found receptive doc. igenex is what i had. might have a plus one on each test, but borrelia on those tests so accurate no healthy person have that show up. so we typically have one double starred band missing each one, which means further testing, but still can be diagnosed with lyme. here is what igenex website: http://igenex.com/ . now, i might suggest trying an ethnic solution, africa americans can have terrible razor bumps. here is a ink to a product i found, i have also seen one in walgreens next time i go i will look for the brand name. here is a link to some: http://www.blackopalbeauty.com/where.html . this link has representatives number. here is a link to bump kit http://www.blackopalbeauty.com/men.html ( yes i kow for black men, silly but sometimes beauty product can crossover quite well, as i learned in cosmetology school when i attended i the south).here are two more online links for products may help: http://www.huminature.com/blopantr.html . http://www.huminature.com/blopanshgel.html today will go out, will see what brand walgreens has i know i have seen it there then will look up. the following posts are from igenex site on types of tests, etc and what if further testing needed (LC).

[ladycolorado]

IGeneX, Inc. Reference Laboratory
Specializing in Lyme and Other Tick-borne Diseases

WHAT TEST(S) TO ORDER:


Based on our tracking, as well as input from our client physicians and our clinical consultant, the initial Panel to order for Lyme disease is the IGeneX Panel 6050. This panel includes the IFA, IgM and IgG Western Blots and PCRs for Borrelia burgdorferi. The IFA is a general Lyme disease screen. The Western Blots are to determine which antibodies the patient is making. The Western Blot is 96% specific. Since some patients do not make antibodies, the Lyme Whole Blood PCR for DNA (#463) and the Lyme Serum PCR for DNA (#453) is included.

The Complete Initial Lyme Panel includes IFA, IgG and IgM Western Blots and PCR (whole blood and serum):

Panel 6050* #230 (Lyme IFA), #188, #189, #456, (and #453)

(IGeneX is now performing a courtesy PCR on serum if whole blood is ordered and vice versa if both serum and whole blood are received.)


The Initial Lyme Panel includes IgG and IgM Western Blots and PCR (whole blood and serum):

Panel 5010** #188, #189 & #456, (and #453)

(IGeneX is now performing a courtesy PCR on serum if whole blood is ordered and vice versa if both serum and whole blood are received.)


The follow-up test for Lyme disease, if the above is negative, is the Lyme Dot Blot/PCR Panel - #875. This panel looks for pieces of the bacteria in urine as well as DNA of B. burgdorferi in the urine. Most physicians use an antibiotic challenge to make the test more sensitive. The antibiotic protocol, as well as the general instructions can be found in the urine testing kit available from the laboratory. You may also call IGeneX for a copy of the protocol.

The combination of all of the above tests provides higher than 90% sensitivity and better than 95% specificity. Remember that Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis and testing can support your clinical presentation.

We also offer tests for the common co-infections of Babesia, Ehrlichia - Anaplasma phagocytophila (HGE) or Human Monocytic Ehrlichia (HME), and Bartonella. These co-infections are seen in approximately 20% of the patients with Lyme disease. The usual first tests to order for the co-infections are IFA antibody tests: Babesia microti-#200, Ehrlichia: #203 Anaplasma phagocytophila (HGE) or #206 Human Monocytic Ehrlichia (HME), Bartonella- #285 and Babesia FISH-#640. In Northern California, Oregon and Washington State, #710 (Babesia WA-1) is substituted for #200 for Babesia microti. A complete Panel has been established for the Midwest, Southern and Eastern Region (Panel 5090), and a Panel for the Western Region (Panel 5080). The FISH test (#640) is also included since it is a more sensitive indicator of Babesia infection, even in the absence of antibodies.

Test kits are available with shipping materials at no charge from IGeneX, Inc. – Call 800/832-3200 or e-mail – customerservice@igenex.com

Nick S. Harris, Ph.D and Steven J. Harris, MD
October 2006

*Not available for NY Residents
** Use for NY Residents

[ladycolorado]

New, State-of-the-art Testing for Ehrlichia
February 5, 2001, Palo Alto, CA —

IGeneX, Inc. today announced the availability of two newly developed PCR tests for Ehrlichiosis. IGeneX, Inc. becomes one of the only laboratories in the United States to commercially offer PCR for both Human Granulocytic and Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE and HME respectively). These PCR tests, combined with the IFA antibody tests, become a comprehensive and cost-effective TICK-BORNE DISEASE testing panel to assist in the diagnosis of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE) and Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME).

These diseases are caused by rickettsial bacteria, which are intracellular parasites for granulocytes and monocytes respectively. Most patients have a history of tick bite, accompanied by a mild to an acute infection with fever, myalgias and malaise. In the fulminate stage, nausea, vomiting and severe headache may be present. Laboratory findings include increased WBC's and antibodies to the agent responsible for HGE and/or HME. In cases of acute or persistent disease, findings include the presence of the organisms' DNA by the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These new panels provide a cost-effective approach to both IFA and PCR testing for both organisms.

In addition to the new Ehrlichia panel, IGeneX, Inc. has created new comprehensive and cost-effective panels for Babesia and Lyme Disease, as well as a PCR-based TICK TESTING panel for Babesia, Lyme, and Ehrlichia.

IGeneX, Inc. can be reached at 800 832 3200.

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

[ladycolorado]

Babesiosis
Babesiosis is caused by an intraerythrocytic parasite, Babesia microti, which is similar in effect to Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria.36,43 Recently, WA1, another species of Babesia, has been described as a possible human pathogen. The intermediate host for B. microti and WA1 is the same tick that transmits B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Symptoms of Babesiosis are similar to those of Lyme disease: fatigue, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, and fever. The disease is particularly life threatening in splenectomized patients. There are several diagnostic tests for Babesiosis.

Diagnostic Tests for Babesiosis
Overview

Detection of Babesia IgM and IgG Antibodies in Serum by the Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Assay (IFA)

This immunofluorescent assay (IFA) indirectly detects Babesia-specific IgG or IgM antibodies in patient serum. Red blood cells from Syrian hamsters, infected with Babesia parasites, are fixed on a glass slide. Patient serum is added, and the patient's B. microti-specific IgG or IgM antibodies bind to the parasites in the infected red blood cells. In the third step, a labeled anti-human antibody is added. Fluorescence occurs if Babesia-specific antibodies are present. The slides must be read with a fluorescent microscope.

Interpretation

Assays for Babesia are usually performed using IFA against cells containing the organism. For the IFA, patient serum is titered using doubling dilutions. These dilutions start at 1:8 or 1:10. Thus, an assay starting at 1:8 would have values at 1:16, 1:32, 1:64, 1:128, 1:256, 1:512, 1:1024, etc., and an assay starting at 10 would have values at 1:20, 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, 1:640; 1:1280, etc.

Cut-off ranges between a laboratory negative and a laboratory positive sample are comparable for most clinical laboratories. The laboratory positive must be statistically different (mean +/- 2SD) from the negative sample. This does not imply that a titer of 1:40 or 1:80 is clinically significant. In fact, a positive antibody test by itself implies nothing. However, a positive antibody test, with appropriate clinical symptoms (determined by a physician), can lead to a diagnosis.

Positive Babesiosis titers are generally 1:160 or higher. Early in disease the titers may rise 4-fold to 1:1280. Later in disease the titer falls. For this reason, the testing of paired samples 4 to 6 weeks apart improves the diagnostic efficiency.

Diagnosis based on antibody response requires the seroconversion of infected individuals toward production of anti-Babesia antibodies. Unfortunately, this approach does not always work because:

At the height of Babesiosis (within weeks of the initial bite) a patient with fever may fail to have evidence of antibody.
Antibodies often persist long after the symptoms have disappeared.
Polyclonal antibody-based tests lack specificity.
Nucleic Acid Based Diagnostic Tests (PCR and FISH) For Babesiosis

Nucleic acid based diagnostic tests impart enhanced performance, when compared to currently available microbiological and immunological methods for the detection of parasites in test samples. Some of the advantages are:

Increased sensitivity: The nucleic acid based tests are able to detect a specific parasite in a given sample more frequently.
Increased specificity: Accurate identification of biochemically unusual strains of Babesia, and those with dramatically different outer membrane proteins, is possible.
These are direct assays for the presence of the parasite and have the consequent potential to identify the etiological agent.
The assay is independent of the host's immune response schedule. Therefore, much earlier detection of the parasite is possible.
Direct testing allows the monitoring of the efficacy of an antibiotic regime.
There is the potential to detect the etiological agent in samples of tissue normally low in antibody titers (such as skin).
IGeneX has developed two nucleic acid based assays for the direct detection of Babesia in clinical specimens: the PCR and the Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) assays. The PCR assay detects DNA and can be performed on fresh or archived clinical specimens. The FISH assay is performed on thin blood smears and detects the ribosomal RNA of Babesia (thereby indicating active infection).

The PCR Test for Babesiosis using Whole Blood

The PCR-based diagnostic assay for Babesiosis is highly specific and sensitive. It is a three-step assay, performed directly on whole blood. The three steps are:

Hybridization/Selection
Amplification of Babesia-specific DNA
Detection of Babesia-specific amplified DNA fragments
Hybridization/Selection

The hybridization/selection step specifically removes the common PCR inhibitors from the clinical sample and, at the same time, selects, purifies, and concentrates the DNA fragment of interest, thereby improving sensitivity.

PCR Amplification

During the second step, the purified Babesia fragment is PCR amplified with Babesia-specific primers. The primer is a synthetically produced nucleic acid sequence that, by design and selection, contains Babesia-specific nucleotide sequences. Under predetermined PCR conditions, this sequence "hybridizes" or binds specifically to Babesia species and not to other bacteria or parasites or human DNA. Therefore, only Babesia-specific DNA is amplified.

Detection of Babesia-specific Amplified Products

In the third step, the PCR-amplified Babesia DNA fragment is detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Any of the "right size" amplified product detected by agarose gel electrophoresis is Babesia-specific. It is possible that the WA1 strain of Babesia may be detected by a similar method.

The combination of these three steps imparts a very high specificity and sensitivity to the test.

In order to minimize DNA contamination, separate work stations are utilized for the set- up, reagent preparation, cycling, and gel electrophoresis.

It should be kept in mind that a negative result with the PCR assay implies only that Babesia DNA is not detected in the test sample. The PCR can be performed on ticks and EDTA whole blood, since the organism infects red cells. Samples have excellent stability if mixed with equal parts of 95% ethanol, special IGeneX PCR buffer, or are kept at -70°C.

IGeneX, Inc.
795 San Antonio Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
Tel. 650.424 1191 / 800.832.3200 Fax. 650.424.1196

[unclear]

yeah but what is you are almost 100% sure you don't have lymes disease. That this was got from wild bird mites or racing pigeons that had mites. What good would the lyme test do. My ingrown hairs are more like morgellon fibers, then ingrown hairs. When you open one you get a small lesion and a hair that you try to pull and it's gets bigger and bigger and then brakes off and the small part recides back into the skin. With the new tweezers I can get them. Thank LC for all the INFO

[ladycolorado]

i agree with bubba on what she has said, something knocks out the immune system and internal external treament necessary. some still have very strong immune systems, i do think the symptoms differ in many because this disease preys on a person's weaknesses. like in my case, did not establish self in digestive tract bone to serious degree or mouth although i did start fighting disease early on, and not uncommon for people to be without lesions, however with former neck injury, seemed why was have neuro-motor problems before the antibiotics, (LC). p.s. unclear know not hair you are having trouble with.

[unclear]

The infectous disease doc said because I had graves disease that is a auto immune disease, could that be why I am like this. I looked at the lyme thing and most I have to answer no too. Just in the last few months have I felt this bad. In Feb I took a trip to Maui and I was on a baot for 5 hours and snorkled. I went sailing and whale watching, I have always taking naps even as a teen ager. Was born a sick child, always sick as a kid. So who knows, except to keep up with my supplements. I really don't get the bronchitis anymore like I use to. If I do get a stomach flu it wipes me out for 5 days, were the rest of the family gets up am moving, and I rarely get high temps. So this thing has really knock me for a loop, although I had the Fibro when I was living in Virginia so as far back as 1995 I would say. I have lost 30 lbs and now drinking protien drinks to up the calories. Any other suggestions welcome. Thanks Unclear

[Steve Frey]

Morgellons is an unknown disease that infects people who are immunocompromised

Is that a fact? does that mean only infects, infects all, or infects some?

I believe there is an insufficient amount of study or evidence to support that statement, especially since the majority of the thirteen plus years that I've been infected I showed little to no signs or symptoms and have never had any reason to believe I am immunocompromised, reason to suspect that a great many individuals, including those with healthy immune systems, may or may not be silently infected. It would be more accurate to imply that immunocompromised individuals are more likely to exhibit the more severe symptoms of morgellons than individuals who are not immunocompromised.

[ladycolorado]

my vectors was a few things, bird mites, headlice springtails, some unkown winged insect, the reason why posting is for those who want accurate lyme test, to find out if borrelia or coinfection present in system, (LC).