HSV-2 18.6 Index High Positive with no symptoms. Still possible False Positive?

[stilllearning22]

Hi, I recently had a full panel of STI testing done and the Labcorp HSV 2-Spec Ab, IgG w/Rfx Test came back positive with an index of 18.6 the first time and 22.0 the second time (about 5 Days between tests).

I’ve never had any symptoms and all my partners said that they were negative for HSV-1 and 2.

I’ve been doing research and it says that these tests are somewhat unreliable and that false positives are not uncommon.

I plan on doing a WB test but with these Index amounts what are the chances that these could truly be false positive?

[stilllearning22]

Also, what does the Index number really mean? How is it generated? What’s the difference between a low positive and high positive?

[Terri Warren]

The index value is simply a measure of someone antibody in comparison to a control that is positive, low positive or negative.

I think it is highly likely that a western blot would confirm your status as positive. However, if every single partner you’ve ever had in your lifetime actually tests negative for HSV 2 on an antibody test, that’s really confusing and a western blot might be helpful to sort this out.

The highest false positive I have seen is a 17. However, having said that, I don’t recall ordering western blots in the past for many people with an index value that high so who knows actually.

Terri

• This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by Terri Warren.

[stilllearning22]

Do we have any idea what causes false positives for values as high as 17? I’m confused how such a thing is even possible

[Terri Warren]

We do not, but it is some non-specific protein and I see more higher false positives in immigrants to the US and their children and also some more in African Americas.
Oh believe me, it’s possible! I see it more and more often.

Terri

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