RE: RC: RE: Lyme Aftemath?

["C Eyler" <eyler@mindspring.com>]

Beth,

The reports from Cornell contain the following text (sorry, should have
included this before):

"In studies on over 700 equine serum samples, we have found many horses with
high ELISA values due to antibodies that are not specific for B.
burgdorferi, as confirmed by Lyme Western blot analysis.  Therefore, caution
must be exercised in interpreting ELISA data.  In our kinetics ELISA (KELA)
system, KELA values above 440 are highly predictive for Lyme infection.
KELA values below 110 are stongly predictivve that the horse is not
infected.  Between 110 and 440 KELA units, however, the ELISA cannot
distinguish between infected and uninfected.  A Western blot is required to
properly classify the horse's infection status."

Cindy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beth Glace [mailto:lb@nismat.org]
> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 3:38 AM
> To: C Eyler
> Subject: Re: RC: RE: Lyme Aftemath?
>
>
> Hi Cindy,
> my understanding is that the titer is a measure of the horse antibody
> response to  infection.  The western blot confirms that the
> infection is truly Lyme disease.  Higher antibody titers
> typically indicate more severe, or more long standing infections.
> Klassy's western blot was positive for Borrelia burgdorferi each
> time blood was drawn.  Hopefully one of the vets on the list will
> provide a better explanation than I just gave!
> We had some horses in the barn with titers above 600, with
> confirmation on the Western blot.  The vet indicated that these were
> more severe infections than Klassy's [430, 300 something and then
> 110].  good luck Cindy!
>
>
> > Hi Beth,
> >
> > Need some clarification.  When you refer to 'titer', are you
> talking about
> > the ELISA test results?  My vet insists that the ELISA test, which is
> > preliminary to the Western Blot, is not what matters.
> >
> > In the initial test, on 11/30, Jack's ELISA was 303, but there
> were "only
> > three faintly staining bands" on the Western Blot.  Results termed
> > "equivocal for infection antibody" with the suggestion to retest.
> >
> > In the second test, on 12/14, the ELISA was 296, with "a
> staining pattern in
> > Western Blot consistent with an infection of Borrelia burgdorferi."
> >
> > Test after treatment, on 3/20, the ELISA was 294, with "only
> three faintly
> > staining bands" again on the Western Blot.  Results termed "equivocal."
> >
> > As I said, my vet will be talking this week with one of the
> researchers at
> > Cornell.  He thinks that perhaps the treatment may not have
> been sufficient
> > to knock out the Lyme.
> >
> > How do these reports compare to what you've gotten with Klassy?
> >
> > Cindy
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Beth Glace [mailto:lb@nismat.org]
> > > Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 12:45 AM
> > > To: C Eyler
> > > Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
> > > Subject: RC: Lyme Aftemath?
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Cindy,
> > > I was interested to see your message since I was just about to repost
> > > to ridecamp to give an update of my ongoing saga with Lyme disease.
> > > Briefly, Klassy had was dx with Lyme last March, and received 3
> > > courses of oral antibiotics.  Her titer dropped from 440 or so to 110
> > > by last September.  We had done lots of longing and line driving her
> > > last summer, and slowly returned to riding by September. She has been
> > > ridden very consistently 3-4 days per week since that time, maybe
> > > working 3 hours weekly on average, rain or shine.   I've noticed that
> > > she is getting quite winded lately.  This is not something that
> > > happened pre Lyme.  I just had her titer redrawn and it is back up to
> > > 300, indicating that the infection is still active, or that she is
> > > reinfected.  AAHHHHH!!! I can't say that the Lyme is causing her
> > > fatigue, but I have to suspect that it is contributing to her
> > > limitation.  Either she has deconditioned significantly or it is the
> > > Lyme; since her work has been so consistent [50:50 walk:trot during
> > > our rides for the last 6 months], I think the Lyme is slowing her
> > > AGAIN.  For those with horses dx with Lyme, it seems to be very
> > > important to keep retesting them even after the titer has fallen.  We
> > > will put her back on another course of antibiotics this week and hope
> > > for the best.
> > > Good luck Cindy, and let me now how things progress,
> > > Beth
> > > > My concern is that he is STILL huffing and puffing during those
> > > brief trots
> > > > or when climbing steep hills.  Can't remember him ever being this
> > > > short-winded (no other signs of respiratory problems).  I've
> > > had this horse
> > > > for over three years, and he just seems not quite right to me.
> > > But then,
> > > > he'd never had such a long layoff before.
> > > >
> > > >
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> > > > Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> > > > Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> > > >
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> > > >
> > > >
> > > Beth Glace, MS, CDN
> > > Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma
> > > Lenox Hill Hospital
> > > New York, NY
> > >
> > >
> > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> > > Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> > > Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> > >
> >
> >
> > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> > Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> > Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> >
> >
> Beth Glace, MS, CDN
> Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma
> Lenox Hill Hospital
> New York, NY
>