Negative WB, multiple positive IGG

[Negative-wb-positive-igg]

Hi!

I just got my western blot back- negative for both HSV1 and HSV2. I did this test 12 weeks after my last possible exposure. I am assymptomatic, and had not started any meds. I always had close to zero values, and then the below:

First igg test ~2 months after last potential exposure:

hsv1 6.33 hsv2 1.68

I tested the next day:

hsv1 6.07 hsv2 1.53

At 12 weeks, I took the WB and a comparison igg and my values were:

hsv1 3.64 hsv2 1.67

Three weeks later I’ve gotten my WB and negative for both.

Also, all my partners from my last negative igg were negative for type 2. Some (not all) tested negative for type 1, a few didn’t bother to test because most of the population has it and they assume they do too. They all tested negative after 2+ months of my involvement with them.

Any idea what would cause this? I had surgery right before the tests, and I also had covid last year despite being vaccinated if that matters. Any papers on other proteins impacting igg results? I had read hsv1 could cause false positives for hsv2 at low values, but the western blot says I have neither.

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

It’s just a poor test – it isn’t anything about you, though some people have a protein in their blood that looks similar to a herpes antibody protein and can trip the test. Don’t get stuck on this – you are negative by the gold standard test.

Terri

[Negative-wb-positive-igg]

Hi Terry, thank you for the fast response. Do you have any research papers/ source on other proteins tripping the test? I saw you mentioned it somewhere else too, but can’t seem to find the paper. I’m just curious to learn more!

Have you ever seen someone whose tests were suddenly both false positive have the igg work for them again after some time has passed? I’m wondering what I should do to keep myself and my partners well informed in the future. I could do the western blot annually though it is quite the hassle, so it would be great if there was a more accessible method.

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

We don’t have a reference I can send to you – we know it is there because it trips the blot and we can see the protein bands but we don’t know what it is.
Mostly, I see people who falsely come back positive on the blot staying positive on the IgG tests in the future.

Terri

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