Very, Very Confused

[riverstyx]

I received two low-positives–false-positives–in May and June 2014. I received the Western Blot in July 2014, and it came back “indeterminate,” with only one protein out of 14 showing up positive. At the time of the Western Blot, it had been 10 YEARS since my last sexual partner (who tested negative for hsv-1 and hsv-2 last year), and 15 MONTHS since I “fooled around”—but did not have sex with—a woman who was a virgin at the time. 3 months after my indeterminate Western Blot, I got a HerpeSelect immunoblot, which came back NEGATIVE, 18 MONTHS after I had last fooled around with the virgin (remember, I didn’t have sex with her). Now, 10 months later, I got another HerpeSelect immunoblot, and it came back POSITIVE. I am very confused and I have no idea what to believe. The reason I got the HerpeSelect immunoblot is that it tests for TWO herpes 2 viral proteins, and not just ONE, like MOST tests. At the time of my indeterminate herpes Western Blot, the University of Washington said that I only got an indeterminate most likely because of cross-reactivity with another protein from some completely unrelated virus. BUT again, the HerpeSelect immunoblot tests for TWO herpes 2 viral proteins. Which means, if I am really Negative for herpes type 2, then I am now cross-reactive with TWO viral proteins, and not just ONE. How could that be? What are the odds of that??? Then again, what are the odds I could have developed herpes type 2 antibodies more than 18 MONTHS after my last non-sex exposure with a virgin? Something doesn’t add up here. I don’t know what to think. I know I must get the Western Blot again, and I definitely will. But in the meantime, what do you think is going on? If I really have genital herpes, where did I get it from? A toilet seat?

[riverstyx]

NOTE: I have developed tingling in my left groin area—where the thigh meets the abdomen, and it can last up to 3-4 days in a row. It usually develops within 5 minutes of strenuous physical exertion. BUT the tingling never erupts into blisters. What could be going on here? In truth, my doctors said I have a case of intertrigo and folliculitis in the genital area, so I don’t know if that is causing it…

[Terri Warren]

You did not get herpes from a toilet seat.
Why do you think the Immunoblot looks for two proteins associated with HSV 2? The Immunoblot, as I understand it, is exactly the same base test as the ELISA version of the test, looking for HSV 2 and HSV 1 and the common protein between them, It is very subjective to look at and since you have, in the past, had an indeterminate western blot, I’m not surprised that it isn’t clear if your immunoblot is really negative or positive. I don’t think you are at any additional risk and if you were my patient, I would encourage you to read the indeterminate at this point as a negative.

Terri

[riverstyx]

Hi Terri!!! Thanks so much for your response!

You mentioned that the Immunoblot looks for “HSV 1 and HSV 2 and the common protein between them.” So doesn’t that mean it looks for two proteins associated with HSV 2—the HSV 2 protein and the common protein? The problem is, I don’t have HSV 1, I’ve always tested negative for that. I’ve never had an HSV 1 positive test. So why then on the Immunoblot would I test positive for BOTH the HSV 2 protein and the common protein? Where did that come from? Can I really be cross-reactive for two SEPARATE proteins? I just can’t wrap my head around it because it seems so so intrinsically unlikely.

And finally, have you ever seen anyone take 18 months to develop full antibodies to HSV 2?

[Terri Warren]

The ELISA test based on the same structure as this test misses 25% of HSV 1 infections. So the all of the reactivity of the common protein could be due to HSV 1. The test, as I said, is very difficult to read – we just did a bunch as part of another study – and I really really dislike the subjectivity of the color band reading – very challenging, unlike the ELISA that gives you a numeric value, and index value. I would encourage you to redo the western blot and if indeterminate and your sexual history is correct, then you could believe that you are negative.

Also, our clinic is doing a study of a new antibody test and we are looking solely at people with an indeterminate western blot. If you would like to participate, please contact Rene at our office. The study involves a single blood draw using a kit we would send you and you would take to Quest labs for the blood draw. You would be paid $50 for your participation. However, you would not get the results because it is a study but you would help others in the future by participating in development of this test.

Terri

[riverstyx]

OK, so the bottom line: what do you think the odds are that, right now, as of today, I actually have HSV-2?

Given: 1 indeterminate western blot for HSV-2 (negative for HSV-1) 15 months after last non sex encounter with a virgin.

1 negative herpeselect immunoblot 18 months after that same non sex encounter (negative for HSV-1 also)

Always had negative HSV-1 results, even on the western blot and immunoblot–always.

1 positive herpeselect immunoblot for HSV-2 (Negative for HSV-1). Cross-reactive with two proteins. Long odds if really don’t have it and am actually negative.

[Terri Warren]

I don’t think we are communicating very well. No, I don’t think you have it.

Terri

[riverstyx]

I’m really sorry, I’m just extremely stressed out. I understand your answers and I will get the western blot one more time and that’s that and I will never think of herpes after that again. It will be a relief.

[Terri Warren]

I can understand that you are stressed – indeterminates are not easy to live with or completely understand. I hope you will participate in our study to help others be more certain when they test.

Terri

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