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    #1

    Lumbar puncture understanding

    Hi all! I was dx'd years ago by several MRI's, but MS never showed in the LP I had taken in 2008. I had it done a second time when I was in the hospital recently for an unknown infection, and I asked the hosp doc if he'd check for MS again and he agreed.

    Problem, my results got sent to my PCP instead of my MS Specialist, and she doesnt understand the results and neither do I. I cant get in to see my specialist for several months, and I was wondering if someone would be so kind to tell me what the results below mean.

    My MS Specialist seems to think that if it didn't show years ago, that it may show up later in life by doing a second LP. I know she wanted it done long ago, but I put it off, and now that its done, I'm SO curious to find out the results, and I know some of you are really smart at this. Hoping someone can help! Thanks ahead of time!

    Albumin Ratio: 0.0042
    Control AB Index: See Text
    CSF-Serum Index: <1.0
    Interpretation BBINT: Negative
    Oversized Comment, see footnote 1

    Footnotes
    1. Reference Range
    B. BURGDORFERI ANTIBODY INDEX
    < OR = 1.0 Negative
    1.1 -1.2 Equivocal
    > OR = 1.3 Positive
    CONTROL ANTIBODY INDEX:
    < OR = 1.0
    ALBUMIN RATIO:
    <0.0078

    Then it goes on to talk about the B. Burgdorferi Antibody Index and how its used to aid in the dx of things. "An increased B. burgdorferi antibody index (>1.2), accompanied by a Control antibody index of less than 1.0 and a Albumin ratio of less than 0.0078, is strong evidence for intrathecal synthesis of organism-specific antibody, and thus CNS involvement by B. Burgdorferi. Elevation of either may inicate leakage of antibody across the blood brain barrier which may elevate the B. Burgdorferi index."

    Thanks again! :-)
    Tags: None
    #2
    Dayna: Basically what they are saying is that you have CNS involvement by B. Burgdorferi which is an agent of Lyme. Anyway, this is good news for you because you can get treated!
    Lyme often looks like MS on MRI. You need to send this information to your neurologist ASAP so they can determine whether to treat you with antibiotics or not, or whether you have Lyme or not. They did not do o-bands, but that doesn't matter because both diseases produce o-banding.

    So, if you have the lab paperwork, fax it, or take it to your neurologists office ASAP, and let them take a look at it. They will decide what it means and what to do with it.

    Take care, and let us know how it goes, OK?
    Lisa
    Moderation Team
    Disabled RN with MS for 14 years
    SPMS EDSS 7.5 Wheelchair (but a racing one)
    Tysabri

    Comment

      #3
      22cyclist,

      I very respectfully disagree with your assessment of the results.

      Firstly, the Albumin ratio is to check for the integrity of the blood brain barrier, and the results here are very low, meaning that the albumin in the blood work vs the CSF are almost identical, indicating no compromise to the blood brain barrier.

      Secondly, the B. Burgdorferi index is NEGATIVE, meaning no indication of Lyme. However, since I am not a doctor, I suggest the original poster have the neurologist assess it, but the PCP was probably just copied on the results, and perhaps the neurologist has the results too, but sees nothing of an urgent nature. I just say don't cause panic, where none may be due.
      20+ years of sx - no dx yet - getting close!

      Comment

        #4
        I'm reading it the same as HellsBells and wondering why the doc said he'd test for MS but tested for Lyme's instead.
        It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

        Comment

          #5
          Whoops! You guys are right! pardon my post earlier! I have no excuse for this, I was just reading it wrong! I am sorry if I confused the OP. Do get the labs to your neurologist. Now I am also confused as to why they only tested for Lyme and not for o-banding and Myelin basic protein? You know you have MS from your MRIs, don't worry about the o-banding.

          Again, I apologize for my wrong post this morning. I obviously was drunk and disorderly first thing...can't take me anywhere.

          Lisa
          Moderation Team
          Disabled RN with MS for 14 years
          SPMS EDSS 7.5 Wheelchair (but a racing one)
          Tysabri

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by 22cyclist View Post
            I obviously was drunk and disorderly first thing...can't take me anywhere.

            Lisa
            Moderation Team
            You are too funny!
            20+ years of sx - no dx yet - getting close!

            Comment

              #7
              Easy to do, 22. I had to read them a few times myself to be clear on it.

              Bottoms up! lol
              It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

              Comment

                #8
                Originally posted by Dayna View Post
                Hi all! I was dx'd years ago by several MRI's, but MS never showed in the LP I had taken in 2008. I had it done a second time when I was in the hospital recently for an unknown infection, and I asked the hosp doc if he'd check for MS again and he agreed.


                Thanks again! :-)
                Great informative thread.

                Are unknown infections common for us? Anyone know?

                I am reluctant to take antibiotics for unknown infections. But, if it is par for the course?
                Thanks all you knowledgeable MSer's. fed

                Comment

                  #9
                  I think I confused everybody here because I didn't include all the test results. When you get an LP done, you also get blood work and I didn't include that, my apologies. I have to go back and get that paperwork because it was missing in what I picked up the first time around.

                  I've already been diagnosed with MS by MRI's, evoked potentials, & I already had the LP done in 2008, but I wanted to see if anything had changed from the first LP. Just out of curiosity, really. I know I don't have Lyme disease, so no need to apologize. We all have our brain parts and look what I did - I didn't even include all of the test results! Lol!

                  So, we'll just let this thread die out, but I just wanted to come back and thank everybody for trying. Hugs.

                  Comment

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