Tag: CD57 Test

News

How CD57 Markers Can Help Lyme Disease Treatment

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease affects thousands of Americans. Each year, roughly 20,000 to 30,000 new cases are confirmed nationwide. When a person develops Lyme disease, they may experience mild illness that can be treated effectively using antibiotics. However, that isn’t always the case. Some people who contract the bacteria that causes Lyme disease end up developing long-term complications and issues that impact the health of their entire body. The bacteria that causes the disease, borrelia, can evade detection, even when someone takes medication to get rid of it. Because of this, it can hide in plain sight, causing damage to organs, tissues, and healthy cells.

In the past, it wasn’t always easy to diagnose Lyme disease, especially cases that went unnoticed until months after a person contracted it. However, new diagnostic tools have emerged, helping medical providers diagnose and treat Lyme disease more effectively. One such type of diagnostic investigation is checking a person’s CD57 markers. Read on to learn more about CD57 markers and how CD57 markers can help Lyme disease treatment.

Continue reading “How CD57 Markers Can Help Lyme Disease Treatment” →
immune cells
News

What Is A CD57 Cell Marker?

talktick

The immune system is home to various cells, all of which have their own jobs to do when it comes to keeping the body functioning and healthy. Immune cells are broken up into several categorizations: lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and neutrophils. Within the lymphocyte grouping, there are T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells.

 T-cells are designed to start a reaction against specific pathogens, which then signals B-cells to start creating antibodies – proteins designed to help the body fight off pathogens. Natural killer cells are then tasked with activating receptors that lead to the production of small proteins that can kill the pathogen or limit its ability to spread throughout the body. 

The immune system uses all of these cells to help keep you healthy. However, in some diseases or infections, levels of immune cells can change dramatically. One such cell is often negatively affected by disease: a natural killer cell known as CD57. But what is a CD57 cell marker? And how is it related to chronic illnesses such as Lyme disease?

Continue reading “What Is A CD57 Cell Marker?” →
lab conducting blood test
Uncategorized

What Does It Mean To Have A Low CD57 Count?

Angelica Bottaro

There are several routes medical professionals can take to diagnose Lyme disease. The mainstay option is the Western blot test or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. These tests are used together as a two-step process to determine whether or not a person has a Lyme infection.

In some cases, the ELISA test won’t be able to return a positive diagnosis because the early stages of Lyme disease may not be caught. This is because an ELISA test looks for specific antibodies, and the immune system needs time to create those after initially contracting the bacterial infection. The Western blot, on the other hand, is used to determine if there are antibodies or traces of the bacteria’s proteins within the blood.

While these tests are typically the first port of call, another test can be used to determine whether or not a person has had Lyme disease: the CD57 blood test. But what is the CD57 blood test, and what does it mean to have a low CD57 count? 

Continue reading “What Does It Mean To Have A Low CD57 Count?” →
blood test vials
News

What Is The CD57 Test Used For?

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that occurs when a person is bitten by a tick infected with the Borrelia bacteria. The infection typically begins with flu-like symptoms, but can progress to affect various areas of the body including organs, tissues, and the nervous system. When a person is treated early for Lyme disease, their recovery chances are high. However, Lyme disease isn’t always diagnosed or caught early, which causes many people to suffer from long-term health consequences.

Various tests can be used to help diagnose Lyme disease. Typically, tests check the blood for the presence of a current infection or evidence that someone was infected at some point prior to the test. One such test that can potentially diagnose Lyme disease is the CD57 test. But what is the CD57 test used for, exactly?

Continue reading “What Is The CD57 Test Used For?” →