Tuesday, January 6, 2009

CD57

What do these letters and numbers mean? The study of immunology is complex and confusing. I will try to simplify this, but it still may be hard to follow. Don't worry- most doctors don't get it either. Lymphocytes are the major white blood cells involved in the body's immune responses to infection- and other conditions, including cancer. They have been subdivided based on receptors located on their surface. The "expression" of these receptors is the basis for categorizing the various types of lymphocytes. The various types of lymphocytes have been shown to have specific functions. Lymphocytes express multiple receptors. The CD8 cells are generally referred to as killer T cells, not to be confused with natural killer T cells. The CD4 cells are referred to as helper T cells.

The initial response, the innate response, is directed by lymphocytes. The natural killer T cells, defined by receptors found on their surface, constitute a very tiny percentage of the T cell population. Nonetheless, they have an important role in fighting infection. Laboratory scientists have developed specialized technology which allows for the separation of these various subsets of lymphocytes.(Flow cytometry).

Most natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are associated with a surface receptor referred to as CD56. The CD57 marker is associated with a smaller subset of NKT cells. Interestingly, these surface receptors (CD57) have been found on both CD8 cells and CD4 cells. Normally, one would expect these markers to be found on CD8 cells- the population of killer T cells.

A powerful CD57 response is associated with Lyme infection and with other bacteria as well. Other spirochetes do not invoke this response because the structure of their cell wall is different. The unique thing about Lyme (Bb) is that it has lipo-polysacharides on its cell wall. This is antigenic(antibody producing) material, which is devoid of protein. CD57 cells respond to this type of antigen whereas other NKT cells do not.

The initial immune reaction- the innate response, involves the mobilization of CD57 cells and other T cells as well as cytokines and other chemicals. Normally, a secondary acquired immune response should follow the innate response. This is mediated by B cells aided by helper T cells. Ultimately, the acquired immune response fails. Lyme (Bb) is driven inside the cells as L-forms. B cell responses do not work here. It then falls on T cell responses to become the body's major immune response needed to keep Lyme and other intracellular germs at bay.

CD57 responses involve the same pro-inflammatory cytokines as seen in Th1 helper T cell responses.

If CD57 responses are low, it may mean that these cells are being consumed by the immune system in the fight against Lyme. If they are high, it may mean that the body is busy cranking out the T cells to assist in the fight against Lyme.

There is little published regarding the clinical usefulness of this test. Dr. Stricker has reported that this measurement "May" be helpful in assessing the degree of illness seen in chronic Lyme patients.

So I have been ordering this test for years. Thousands. Unfortunately, I am left with the conclusion that it has been of very little help to my patients. I have seen no correlation between CD57 and disease activity. Patients in clinical remission may have very low levels and patients with end stage tertiary Lyme disease may have very high levels. Individual immune responses are difficult to predict. Dr. Burrascano has suggested that the CD57 test might be an inexpensive way to screen for Lyme disease. I do not agree. Physicians may order CD57 levels because they are looking for evidence to support the diagnosis. I do not think this approach will not hold up to careful scrutiny. Many patients unfortunately are getting the awful 13 band test performed at "mill labs." Patients don't want to spend the money to get a decent Lyme test. I do throw out a wide net looking for a variety of markers associated with Lyme disease. I could argue that the vitamin D reversal pattern, a possible marker of the Th1 response, is a much better screen for patients with Lyme disease and other chronic intracellular infections.

I have seen recent published statements claiming that it is not known how CD57 and Lyme are associated. My research shows otherwise. (If you could follow any of what I said about it). However, in my opinion and experience, this marker has not been clinically useful.

15 comments:

  1. Doc,
    We have found what we consider a very good screen test - shown to me by Dr. Bill Harvey after a Lyme research trip to London. The researcher there found that the spiros were living inside the red and White blood cells, but would not come out until forced out by time - the cells dying and running out of O2 for them to live - they are micro-aerophilic bacteria. Often, after 3-8 hours, the screen is filled with spirocetes. We have seen as many as 10 emerging from RBC's and up to 20 from WBC's. I would be happy to send you a sample video - email me at DrDonaldGay@hotmail.com

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  2. Sounds promising. Please forward the information to Dr. Kilani at Clongen labs.

    Thanks

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  3. Very interesting. I have read about some of his other work in Houston, TX and also how he treated himself for Lyme. He is an MD and also an engineer. That is a good combination giving him a very logical thought process and the medical knowledge. He seems to be ahead of others, except LymeMD, in his thinking and experimentation. Thanks for letting us know.

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  5. I understand that most LLMDs (yourself included) believe that the CD57 is useless as a means of tracking treatment progress.

    But does it have any value as a diagnostic indicator? If only HIV and a small number of other bacteria can depress CD57 counts, then wouldn't it be an important piece of the initial diagnosis (assuming HIV is ruled out)?

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  6. Any thoughts on a high CD57 count with positive Lyme? My CD57 was 470 and I was positive on my Igenex tests for Lyme.

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  7. I as well had very high CD57 in the 500 range (and we ran the test twice) with CDC Positive on my West Blot IgM.

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  8. Interesting.....I was early disseminated. Blood drawn 2 months after exposure to ticks. mine came back at 119. Low, I'd say. But my WB tests were negative, mostly. Had a 'weak positive'. We all know it was there.

    Currently waiting on results of new CD57, 1 year after stopping treatment.

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  9. I was dxed with Lyme a year ago and got my CD57 run for the first time in August. It was 38. I got it run again this month and it is 28. I assume this means my body is doing worse dealing with the Lyme (and my symptoms would agree with that). Is it possible that the test is useful for me to keep track of how I am doing and just isn't useful for everyone. My children both have Lyme but they are young enough that understanding what symptoms they are having can be difficult. We have been treating lyme in them for a year. Would normal results give hope that the Lyme is defeated? Or could results be normal with active Lyme infection.

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  10. I found this very helpful. Is it o.k. if I create a link from my site to this post?

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  11. I was just told by a hollistic MD that I have Lyme because my CD57 is 47. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease 8 months ago and am left with residual nerve issues and joint pain. This doctor is convinced it is Lyme.

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  12. My daughter was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis 2 yrs ago and is not responding to treatment. Liver enzymes are still high..so we had a CD57 test done (with a different doc..not liver doc) and she came in a an 8. My question is this (haven't gong over results with doc yet)...could the immune suppressing drug she is on (for the AIH) cause the low CD57 count? Or could this be a marker for potential lyme? We were in and out of PCP office several times the fall of 2013 with "something"..she had joint pain that moved around (knees, elbows, hands), headaches, fatigue. They said maybe "mono". In January of 2014 went to ER with swollen knees. Her liver enyzmes were high and they admitted her. I told them we camp a lot and are outside everyday and that she did have a tick on her. They ran the typical Lyme test and I believe came back neg. However, now that she is not responding to the traditional protocol for AIH..I am questioning the diagnosis. She is seeing the doc who ran the CD57 this week..but I was shocked at how low!

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  13. I was diagnosed with Lyme 2 months ago. Positive IgM bands 23 and 41. CD57 of 34. I had my husband and 3 boys tested with a cd57 only to see if we needed to be concerned about them since I wasn't sure when I got Lyme. Husbands came back 32, my boys came back with levels even lower, my 4 y/o has an 8, 8 year old has a 13, 11 year old has a 31. I don't know what to think about this other than Lyme, since we know that I have it. I would love to know what else could cause a low cd57, but all fingers are pointing to Lyme at this point.

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  14. You cannot rely on CD57 ALONE to diagnose Lyme Disease, AND the Quest and LabCorp tests can show false negative because three or more band types have been excluded by the CDC. These band types are the most common! The ONLY reliable test is done by Igenex labs in California, USA. Thier test determines if you have antibodies for Lyme (IgG, IgM, etc.) This will tell you IF you were exposed and the time frame in which you were exposed, recent or chronic. The test is pricey at approximately $800, but well worth it!!. ALWAYS make sure you test for coinfections as ticks usually carry several, and when you get bit, you get the load of whatever they have. I also had Cat Scratch Fever AND Malaria! AND, DON'T FORGET! This stuff is In our blood supply! It is NOT tested for Lyme! And Hepatitis testing in the USA only started in 1991! UNBELIEVEABLE! I am one of the "lucky ones" that is suspected of obtaining this from a blood transfusion. I do think that CD57 is intriguing and useful most times, but I do think there are "outliers" that do not fit within the group and thier results may be confusing. Thanks for all the great info! KEEP YOUR CHIN UP EVERYONE! IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS! GOOD LUCK!

    AND BTW, WE ALL SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND DEMAND THAT THE FDA REQUIRE TESTING OF BLOOD SUPPLY FOR LYME AND ALL OTHER CO-INFECTIONS!! IF THERE IS A TEST TO IDENTIFY THE BACTERIA, PARASITE, VIRUS, ETC., WHY ISN'T IT BEING USED TO IDENTIFY THE DISEASE IN DONOR BLOOD? IT IS DESPICABLE AND UNBELIEVEABLE, PROBABLY ALL BECAUSE OF COST!

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  15. Hi, My son's Quest number for CD57/CD3OF % ABSLT was 26 on 8/5/16 and now 37 on 12/21/16, range 20-258cells/uL. Is this enough of an increase to show improvement for lymes?

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