Results interpretation

[anonymous2121]

Hi Terri,

I had my annual gyno appointment a couple weeks ago and requested them to do a full STD panel without having ever having symptoms just was uninformed and wanted peace of mind (ironic after this). I tested at 1.42 hsv2 and my gyno called to tell me I was positive and had been exposed to hsv2. I was shocked given I always use condoms and hadn’t had sex since January (with a condom) and it had been almost 4 months since my last sexual encounter which was fully protected. I freaked out and went the next day to quest to get the full quest Inhibition Assay ELISA after reading so much about false positives in the <2 range and results are below:

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (IgG), with Reflex to HSV-2 Inhibition
Reference Range Lab
HSV 1 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB <0.90
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB 1.57

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 2 (IgG) INHIBITION, ELISA
HSV 2 IGG INHIBITION, IA
NORMAL
02
The HSV-2 IgG screening assay was repeated on a different platform as part of the inhibition test,
and the result was negative; thus the Inhibition result could not be determined. Most samples exhibiting this type of discrepancy have initial HSV-2 IgG index values of 1.10-3.00. If early HSV-2 infection is suspected, submission of another sample collected 2-3 weeks after this sample is recommended.
This assay is intended only for samples giving a positive index in the HSV-2 type-specific IgG screening assay. A POSITIVE inhibition interpretation indicates true HSV-2 specific reactivity, whereas a NEGATIVE inhibition interpretation suggests that the positive screening index is falsely positive.

My question is do you think it is necessary for the western blot at this point? I’ve never had symptoms and last time I had sex was 4 months ago in January (protected). I did have chicken pox as a kid and shingles runs in my family. It also sucks that this test may always be a low positive if I ever have a full std panel again even though I’m negative. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

So far, we’ve seen pretty good agreement between negative IA and negative western blots, for people who do both. there is less good agreement between people who have a positive IA with the western blot

Terri

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