False Positive? Herpes Select

[benny223]

I recently had a routine STD screening including the Herpes Select blood ELISA test for HSV I and II.  My HSVI was less than 0.9 while my HSVII was 1.4.  I am confused if I am positive for HSVII or not.  While the threshold for this test is 1.1, there is a literature base to suggest that anything below 3.5 is false positive.  I only had this test done as a routine screening, not because I currently have or had symptoms.  Do the numbers of my test suggest that I have HSVI or HSVII?  Should I be concerned and proceed to get the WB test or the BioKitUSA test?  or is my current result of 1.4 for HSVII sufficient to say I do not have HSVII?

[gracefromHHP]

please start your own post - our read before posting post covers this - thanks!

[needananswerfromgrace]

Sorry I keep adding info....  I obviously tested positive for herpes on a hsv2 igg test (they didn't give me the number on the sheet but automatically did the inhibition study).  Which the first doctor said was negative.  The next dr. said it was "too early at 14 1/2 weeks)  The results said this both times:

"The HSV-2 IgG screening assay was repeated at
      Focus Diagnostics, and the result was not positive
      (i.e., the index was <1.10); thus, the inhibition
      study result could not be determined.
      This assay is intended only for samples giving a
      positive index in the HerpeSelect HSV-2
      type-specific IgG screening ELISA. A POSITIVE
      inhibition study interpretation indicates true
      HSV-2 specific reactivity, whereas a NEGATIVE
      inhibition study interpretation indicates that the
      positive screening index was falsely positive."

[needananswerfromgrace]

I just saw on your comments that I was supposed to start a new thread.  I am so scared right now cause I have a wife and two kids and I don't want to expose her.  As tough as our relationship is, I love her.  I had never cheated and told her I wanted to try it out.  She told me "go ahead" but was torked.  I am such a stupid, ignorant *******.  The gal I was with swears she doesn't have herpes (and got the negative IGM test) but I have been itching like crazy.  I had itching in my bum/anus first.  Then my groin (after working on the kitchen sink) but it was way worse than normal irritation.  I then got pimple looking things on my lower abdomen and have had two HSV 1 outbreaks since the 3/12 encounter.  I am sorry I keep posting.  Just don't know where to go.  I have been reading on here for 10 weeks trying to figure this out.  I have been making excuses to use protection (or do nothing at all).  She is out of town for a few weeks with family so I am just spinning, here.  I hope you respond cause I can tell you know your stuff.  maybe I can call focus and have them send for a WB test?

[needananswerfromgrace]

We used a condom but there was skin to skin contact and I had a small cut on my scrotum from my cycling.  

[needananswerfromgrace]

I hate to keep adding info but I know how sharp you are from reading this stuff.  I got the same exact test result on 4/6(3 1/2 weeks after the encounter) as the 6/21 test.  They didn't give the specific number(1.4 or whatever).  Not sure if that means equivocal or just low positive...

[needananswerfromgrace]

  couple more things to add.  After my encounter(4 days later) I had a sore between my buttocks and one near my anus.  I have had roids since I was 15 from roofing and such but wanted to mention that.  She also got tested but got the IGM test.(which I know you say is bunk)  hers came back negative.  The doc said if I had vaginal sex there was no way it would show up in my behind.  I think from what I have read here, it can....  just scared since it was positive and inhibition showed inconclusive (not positive, not negative) for under 1.10

[needananswerfromgrace]

Grace-  I had the same exact result as Benny.  I am confused because it says "this assay is intended only for samples giving a positive index for  herpeselect HSV 2 type specific IgG screening ELISA"  agin, same exact result as Benny.  My doc says it is too early(the encounter was 3/12 and blood drawn 6/21(14 1/2 weeks)  do you think i need to re-test?  My doc gave no yes or no(I didn't ask and she didn't tell)  

[benny223]

additional information on stdtesting.com website.

http://stdtesting.com/herpes-confirmation-testing

[benny223]

thanks for your help!

[benny223]

@william28

I struggled to find a provider to consider the confirmatory testing.  However I found several online sites available for std testing and I found one, http://getstdtested.com/ which also suggested the inhibition assay as confirmatory testing. http://getstdtested.com/herpes-confirmation-test.

after ordering your test you are sent to a quest diagnostics lab near you.  Then you wait for them to send the sample to the lab and return the results.  Inhibition assay was $195.

[gracefromHHP]

no reason for any further testing at this point - congrats!

[william28]

How I can order the inhibition assay from quest dig.?

Thank you.

[benny223]

I received my results from the inhibition assay today.  They came back negative.  However upon further examination I found this description.

"The HSV-2 IgG screening assay was repeated at Focus Diagnostics, and the result was not positive (i.e., the index was <1.10); thus, the inhibition study result could not be determined. This assay is intended only for samples giving a positive index in the HerpeSelect HSV-2 type-specific IgG screening ELISA. A POSITIVE inhibition study interpretation indicates true HSV-2 specific reactivity, whereas a NEGATIVE inhibition study interpretation indicates that the positive screening index was falsely positive."

So what I can gather from these results is that the inhibtion assay was not carried out because this time my test result was below the 1.10 designated for positive.  Should I consider this confirmation that I do not have HSV2?  Should I proceed with a WB or biokit USA test?

[gracefromHHP]

no databases of providers who offer other tests - it's usually the choice of the lab they use more so than the providers themselves.

the inhibition assay will give you a % as you already know. depending on the result, depends on if it's recommended that you get additional testing or not.

I know, it's a total headache when you are in the grey area of testing :(

[benny223]

I requested the biokit hsv2 igg and/or the WB, but I have not been able to find a provider to use these.  I did find a provider to administer the inhibition assay thus per your suggestion, I just had my blood drawn for the ORDER #17171 HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 2 (IgG) INHIBITION, ELISA 86696.  I am now waiting on the results.  However I have read a post by you which suggests that the inhibition assay has some issues.  What am I looking for in the assay?  I understand that greater than 60% inhibition suggests a positive result.  If it still says positive is the result confirmed or does the result warrant further testing with the WB or biokit hsv2 igg?  If so, is there a database of providers which will administer either test?

[gracefromHHP]

odds are you don't really have hsv2 but you'll need further confirmatory testing to confirm that. A herpes WB or a biokit hsv2 igg are both helpful or you can even repeat your herpes igg blood testing and if it's quest labs, ask for the inhibition assay to be done too.

grace

[Mistakeguy789]

Normally she will respond here shortly.  Your post fell off the first page and so sometimes we don't go back that far.

[benny223]

How long till I get a response?

[benny223]

unprotected oral sex a month ago with my partner.  Several months before that for any other activity.

[Mistakeguy789]

When was your last sexual encounter from the date of the test?

Give grace a chance to respond and she will give you further info.