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How To Decipher Lyme Bands

Updated: Aug 28




The following is a breakdown of the Western blot only. As co-infections will show their own titers.

IgM is a sign of a current infection.

IgG can be a sign of a current infection if symptomatic, or of a past exposure to or past infection by the organism. There are nine known Borrelia burgdorferi genus specie specific KDA Western Blot antibodies (bands):

18 23 30 31 34 37 39 83 and 93.

Only one of these Borrelia burgdorferi genus specie specific bands is needed to confirm that there is serological evidence of exposure to the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete and can confirm a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease. Igenex Western Blot Break Down by band 9 cross-reactive for Borrellia 12 specific for Bb

18 highly specific to Lyme (Many LLMD's say if this band alone is positive, you have lyme) 20 cross-reactive for Borrellia

21 unknown

22 specific for Bb, probably really the 23/25 band

23-25 outer surface protein C (OspC), specific for Bb

28 unknown

30 unknown; probably an outer surface protein; common in European and one California strain - Has cross-reactivity with several different types of viruses

31 outer surface protein A (OspA), specific for Bb - Has cross-reactivity with several different types of viruses

34 outer surface protein B (Osp; specific for Bb

35 specific for Bb

37 specific for Bb

38 cross-reactive for Bb

39 is a major protein of Bb flagellin; specific for Bb

41 flagellin protein of all spirochetes; this is usually the first to appear after a spirochete infection but is NOT specific to Lyme (i.e, other spirochete diseases have flagellas)

45 cross-reactive for all Borellia

50 cross-reactive for all Borrellia

55 cross-reactive for all Borrellia

57 cross-reactive for all Borrellia

58 unknown but may be a heat-shock Bb protein

60 cross reactive for all Borrellia

66 cross-reactive for all Borrelia, common in all bacteria

83 specific antigen for the Lyme bacterium, probably a cytoplasmic membrane

93 unknown, probably the same protein in band 83, just migrates differently in some patients


An IgM positive test result means more recent & likely currently active infection.

IgG positive means previous exposure to the bacteria or older infection of Lyme.

If no symptoms are present with IgG positive, it may mean an "inactive" LD infection.

PLEASE BE AWARE MANY LLMD'S CONSIDER A BAND THAT IS 'IND' AS POSITIVE, IGENEX TEST READS 'IND's' ARE SIGNIFICANT AND DOES NOT INDICATE A NEGATIVE.


BAND 41 POST


Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.

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