Indeterminate Test Result for a Low-Risk Individual

Hello,

Last week I got tested for all STDs, including HIV.  The doctor called and told me that all of the tests were negative, except for HIV, which came back as indeterminate.  I have had one HIV test several years ago that was negative.  I have since (i.e. after the previous test) been with my partner for almost two years (we always use condoms and he is the only partner I have had since the last negative HIV test).  

The only way someone WITH HIV could get an indeterminate result is if they were seroconverting, correct?  Meaning they had to have been infected with HIV in the past few months at the most?  Just wondering since I have always practiced safe sex and believe I am low-risk since I have only had the one partner since my last negative HIV test.  If that's the case, then my indeterminate (if I am correct in assuming that my partner is HIV negative and did not infect me) must be due to something else.  

Sorry this is so long, but, to clarify my question, an indeterminate result can either mean that

1.  you have been very recently (in the past three months or even less) infected with HIV and are currently seroconverting
2.  you are HIV negative and your indeterminate result is caused by something else other than HIV antibodies

I'm a straight female, in case that is helpful to know.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can either confirm or correct what I have written above.  In addition, I would like to know what the chances are that I am positive for HIV.

I am planning to go take another HIV test (this time an OraQuick Advance, not sure what I had last time but believe it was a Western Blot since they took blood and my doctor mentioned something about how the Western Blot can be confused and cause an indeterminate result), but, since it is a holiday weekend, I won't be able to until at least Tuesday, and I'm feeling quite anxious and upset.

Thank you very much.

[RainLover71]

A western blot is only performed to confirm a reactive elisa antibody result.Are you sure that it was infact a western blot that you had.

[cb2011]

I'm not sure, but I do remember my doctor saying that the western blot could be indeterminate due to your ethnicity or another virus, etc.  And he definitely said that my HIV test result was indeterminate, so I think I can assume that it was a western blot, because that's the only type of HIV test where indeterminate is a possiblt result, correct?

They took blood from the arm to do the test.

[RainLover71]

repeat the test but an indeterminate result could mean what you have mentioned above,that it could be caused by something else other than hiv antibodies.

[cb2011]

Okay, thank you, I appreciate you writing back with this information.

I would still like to know from someone if an indeterminate result for an HIV infected person means that they have recently been infected.  If that is the case, then I believe that it would be unlikely that I am actually positive, as I have not had any new sexual contact since 2 years ago, and we have always used condoms.  

Thank you.

[been_there123]

Why would your doc give you the WB as a preliminary test? you need a reactive Antibody test.

Also the WB needs to be read by an expert in infectious diseases as it can be harder to read than standard AB tests. He is not a good Doctor in my opinion.

Disregard that test. I'd stay way from the ora-quick as they tent to have a higher prevalence of false positives.

Get either a Whole Blood AB test or a test from blood serum.

Whole blood results in 15 to 20 mins
Serum can take a week.


I am sure you are fine, just a mix up from your doctor. Id slap him for negligence

[moron40]

Out of curiosity...do you know what the GP Band number was on the provided Western Blot?

[cb2011]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.  I'm really not sure if my doctor gave me the WB as a preliminary test or if it was a confirmatory one...that's a good question that I'm planning to ask him when the office opens on Tuesday.  I know my blood was sent to a lab, so I'm not sure if the lab read it or my doctor.

I don't know any further info on the Western Blot such as the GP Band number.  I was just so shocked by the news and it was Friday evening, so by the time I researched online, it was too late to call and ask follow-up questions.  

Been_there123, thank you for reassuring me.  It's been all I can think of and I was a bit going out of my mind.  

One last question, you mentioned that a whole blood AB test or a test from blood serum would be good; would a rapid HIV test also suffice, via fingerprick or oral fluid?

[cb2011]

Oh sorry, I just noted that you already answered the question I just posted -- you were saying that oraquick has a higher prevalence of false positives.  I will try to get a whole blood AB test or a test from blood serum.

Thanks a lot!

[moron40]

In order for a Western Blot to be given...you would have had a reactive Elisa. Your MD should have done an Elisa before a.Western Blot.

[cb2011]

If that was what happened (had a reactive Elisa and so they then performed a Western Blot with the same blood sample), is it possible that the Elisa was a false positive and then the Western Blot was indeterminate for some other reason than HIV infection?  How likely is that?

Just trying to figure out the likelihood that I am HIV positive, or what could have happened with this test and result.  Because of my sexual history, I would find it unlikely that I have been recently infected with HIV, which means that I would more likely be having an indeterminate due to other causes, right?

[moron40]

False positives with Western Blots have been known to happen. In the search box at the top of this webpage type in ' indeterminate western blot'. You will see a number of threads whereby the Doctors (Hook and Handsfield) have answered similar questions regarding indeterminate Western Blots in the past. Sometimes they are due to the candidates peptides etc.

[RainLover71]

Its highly unlikely that your positive,you need to retest,that simple.

[moron40]

I agree with getitright. All you know is that your MD withdrew blood. He sent it to a lab. They may have done solely a Western Blot on your blood. The WB has defined bands regarding reading for the lab tech. Dr. Handsfield stated in one of his posts in 2008 that most WB that are done in isolation from standard EIAs are actually false positives..physicians should NEVER do a WB in isolation from an EIA to cause this dilemma to start with. I am also a bit irritated that they would give you this kind of information on a weekend. Most offices/ clinics do not give HIV test results on Fridays or weekends because offices orclinincs are not operating on weekends.

[cb2011]

Thank you both so much for your multiple replies.  I am feeling much better thanks to the information you have provided me and will retest next with an Elisa.

I agree, moron40, I also thought it was wrong of them to call me at 4pm Friday to tell me this, because there's nothing I can do until tuesday morning!  I also wish my doctor had provided more information regarding the result and how it was determined, because it does indeed seem that he may have performed a WB without an EIA, based on how he presented my result to me.

[moron40]

Your welcome ....keep us posted.

[cb2011]

I've just reached my doctor's office to ask further questions, but it turns out my doctor is on vacation.  I spoke with another doctor, who looked at my results and said that the gp41 and 0 (? - not sure about what 0 is) were on the Western Blot.  She couldn't tell from my file whether an EIA was first done or not, because she didn't have the full data with her.  

I've also made an appointment for a retest on Thursday, the soonest available I can find.  I have to go to another test site, because I've now returned to the east coast where I live (I have health insurance through my parents on the west coast, which is why I went to the doctor there).

Anyway, just wanted to give an update in case the gp band info provides any further insight to any of you as to possible cause of the indeterminate result...please share if it does.  And I will post an update as soon as I take my test on Thursday.

Thank you.  

[Teak]

That was an incorrect test to begin with.