another low positive HSV 2 Elisa question

[outoftowner]

Hi,

So I went in for a routine screening, never had any symptoms and no knowledge of any exposure.

I’m already clear that I’m going to get the Western Blot, as fortunately I’ll be in Seattle in a couple of weeks.

my results are these:
ELISA IGG H 1.12

ELISA HSV 2 Inhibition
Screening Index H2.2/
inhibition % 86.

Since my IGG was 1.12, from everything I’ve been reading here it seems clear it makes sense to do the Western Blot.

Right?

You’ve responded to others that they have a certain percentage likelihood of it being a false positive.

Do you know what the percentage likelihood that this was false positive is for my results above?
Is there a table somewhere publicly accessible? I’d be very interesting to know.

Thanks for doing this. It is amazing how unreliable this test is, and that doctors administering it don’t know.

[Terri Warren]

At 1.12, there is an 85% chance this is a false positive. Were you planning on going to the viral disease clinic for testing? They actually don’t do that there for routine patients, only study patients. You most certainly need a western blot, just not sure how you were planning to get that in Seattle.

There is an article by Rhoda Ashley Morrow that contains the chart. I don’t have that reference right here but I’ll bet you can find it on PubMed

Terri

[outoftowner]

Thanks so much, again.

I may have misunderstood- I called UW and asked if they did testing for non students, but it sounds like I wrongly assumed that I could get a Western Blot there. What do you suggest? I’m based in New York, but will be in WA in a few weeks.

[Terri Warren]

The clinic can process a lab request for the western blot for you. It would be easier and about $60 cheaper to do in Washington, but we can certainly get it done in New York for you as well as part of a research study we are doing. The New York was is about $315 and the Washington lab way is $250. Your call.

Terri

[outoftowner]

Thanks Terri,

I called and got transferred to Renee, to whom I sent an email. Would definitely like to find out about getting it done here. Relatively new to NY so don’t have a PCP, but I’m sure/hopeful I can sort that out with a little advice on what I’m looking for. Let me know what else I can do to follow up, if anything.

Truly appreciate your help and the forum you’ve created.

[Terri Warren]

I will contact Rene and be certain she gets back to you today. She is very helpful and can make this easy for you, I believe.

Terri

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