Autoimmune Disease (Crohns and UC) IGG Test Low Positive

[j959595]

So before I was aware that I should not really seek out testing for HSV with no symptoms I put in a request to get a full workup since I am starting a new relationship. I have had no prior symptoms and have not been sexually active for almost 2 years now. I received the results from my HSV IGG Herpselect Antibody test as low positives (HSV 1 – 1.66) (HSV 2 1.34). From everything I have read this looks to be in the potential false-positive range. I have seen all about the Western Blot test and that’s the gold standard to get tested but it does take a while to get the results back. In doing some research I saw there was also another test called HSV 2 IgG Inhibition Assay. I wanted to know if that is worth persuing since it is faster to get results back.

I also wanted to know if having and autoimmune disease such as crohns and UC can affect the results of an HSV IGG test making it show positive. I am also curious if I have been positive whole time if I would have seen signs since I am immune compromised. It all just seems a little weird to me. I would be very grateful for any insight on this.

[j959595]

*Update in addition to the questions from my first post.

I just received back results from a HSV 1/2 IGG W/RFX HSV-2 Inhibition Test

12/10/20- HSV 1/2 Herpes (Blood)

1.66 – HSV1 IGG Herpselect Antibody
1.34 – HSV2 IGG Herpselect Antibody

12/15/20 – HSV 1/2 IGG W/RFX HSV-2 Inhibition

1.81 – HSV1 IGG Herpselect Antibody
1.06 – HSV2 IGG Herpselect Antibody

So I got a message from my doctor saying “Reviewed your recent lab work: HSV test result was positive on repeating testing.”

I am confused as to what to make of this and also if this was even in fact the array test because from what I have seen it is a percentage not a index number to test for HSV2. I am currently worried and confused and would appreciate any insight onto this ongoing nightmare.

Regards

[Terri Warren]

The CDC says that when a person requests an STI screen, herpes testing should be considered. So not inappropriate for the test to have been done.

I think you’ll need the western blot to get this cleared up. The inhibition assay frequently disagrees with the blot so I do not recommend it.

I think it is likely that your HSV 1 result will be confirmed, but very likely the HSV 2 will not.

Terri

[j959595]

Thanks for getting back to me Terri! Once I save up enough money for the test I will probably end up getting it.

I did have a question about the results I have had so far though. With the HSV1 going up I would assume that might end up just being positive which would makes sense even if still low positive. With the HSV2 though my doctor made it sound as if I am positive even with the Equivocal result. Should I be assuming that I am positive at this point unless I get additional testing? I talked to my doctor and he said Quest chose not to run the second confirmatory Assay test because it did not come back positive yet he is saying that I am positive. I am just a little confused on what the consensus is on getting an equivocal result and I am also scheduled for another IGG test next week. if that comes back equivocal again how should I interpret 1 low positive and 2 equivocals?

Regards
J

[Terri Warren]

NO. While I do think the HSV 1 would confirm by the blot, you are NOT Positive for HSV 2 and should not consider yourself infected, even for a moment. Let me know how your next test turns out. Your doctor is making an error, saying an equivocal is a positive. It is NOT.

Terri

[j959595]

Thanks for getting back to me Terri!

After a long wait for the results of my next test the below are the updated numbers. From what I could figure out I am negative for HSV-2 after the assay confirmation. Should I stop worrying now going forward about the HSV2? How should look at the HSV1 numbers(worth doing further testing?)

12/10/20 – HSV 1/2 Herpes (Blood)

1.66 – HSV1 IGG Herpselect Antibody
1.34 – HSV2 IGG Herpselect Antibody

12/15/20 – HSV 1/2 IGG W/RFX HSV-2 Inhibition

1.81 – HSV1 IGG Herpselect Antibody
1.06 – HSV2 IGG Herpselect Antibody

12/29/20 – SV 1/2 IGG W/RFX HSV-2 Inhibition

1.64 – HSV1 IGG Herpselect Antibody
1.76 – HSV2 IGG Herpselect Antibody (Assay Negative)

The HSV-2 IgG Screening assay was repeated at Quest Diagnostic infections Disease and the result was negative; thus the inhibition result could not be determined. if early HSV-2 infection is suspected, submission of another sample collected 2-3 weeks after this sample is recommended.
Reference Range: Negative

Regards,
J

[Terri Warren]

This is confusing to me as 1.76 is positive. Was there another test done by Quest that you don’t have posted here?

Terri

[j959595]

I only had the 3 IgG tests that I posted and then that last test had the confirmatory test they did as well which showed that negative reference range. I don’t know why it’s floating around equivocal and low positive. I guess that’s good that the confirmatory test showed negative though?

[Terri Warren]

You are out of questions.

Terri

• This reply was modified 1 week ago by Terri Warren.

[j959595]

Hi Terri,

I just purchased the next member for the 3 additional questions. I was under the impression that they could not run the confirmatory test unless there was a positive and then that would indicate if there was a false positive. Was I interpreting that incorrectly? I know as of now it was 2 low positives and an equivocal.

Regards,
J

[Terri Warren]

You are correct, yes. I suspect that these were false positives as you are hovering around negative, equivocal, and low positive. But the IgG test is imperfect and it’s so hard to know what to make of it.

Terri

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