Please help interpret these very confusing results

[UpSunnyside]

Hi there

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

I got my results back from Pathcare. According to their website their test utilizes "...enzyme immunoassay technology (Elisa)."  My results were as follows:

HSV-1 IgM NEGATIVE
HSV-2 IgM NEGATIVE
HSV-1 IgG POSITIVE
HSV-2 IgG NEGATIVE

I have had no symptoms of HSV-2.

My girlfriend has received results from a blood test  that was done 1 week ago, which were as follows:

HSV-1 & 2   IgM      POSTIVE
HSV-1          IgG      POSITIVE
HSV-2          IgG      NEGATIVE

The HSV-1 & HSV-2 IgM results were grouped together. I am not sure what type of test was done, but it uses the term "serology", so I presume at present that we had the same type of tests done at different labs.

Her results, taken from a new blood sample 1 week later than the sample of the first test, are as follows:

HSV-1 IgM NEGATIVE
HSV-2 IgM POSTIVE
HSV-1 IgG NEGATIVE
HSV-2 IgG POSITIVE

She has had no visible symptoms of HSV-2.

She had and still has bronchitis, both at the time when the first and second blood samples were drawn, although her symptoms were more sever during the time the second sample was drawn. She only started her antibiotics after the second blood sample was taken.
In light of the fact that I tested negative for HSV-2, we had a second test done at the same center/lab I had mine done. Our principle reason for having the second test done is due to the inaccuracy and my distrust of IgM results.

Here are my questions:

How can she have negative IgG for HSV-1 one week, but not the next? Surely the antibodies could not have disappeared into thin air? In light of this I seriously question the IgG results for HSV-2, since conversely, since last week they were not present and now they are.

We do not know if she is a low positive (between 1.10 - 3.5) or whether her results are equivocal (0.90 - 1.10). The results only state positive or negative.


Does anyone have any ideas on this?

[gracefromHHP]

odds are her 2nd test is falsely positive but check with a local herpes support group to see what options you have. not sure if the biokit hsv2 igg blood test is available near you or not but that test can be used.

[UpSunnyside]

Thank you for the reply.

We have been sexually active for more than 3 months. Her previous sexual encounter, which could have caused infection, was about 3 months before meeting me.

[gracefromHHP]

I can help somewhat with test results but not a lot since you are outside of the US.  

igm herpes testing is inaccurate. we don't recommend its use on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes.  doesn't matter even if it's a type specific herpes igm test, still has too high of a rate of false positives and false negatives to make it worth using.  you can totally disregard all the igm results.

how long have you and your gf been together?  why were you tested for herpes?

even the best herpes blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. odds are your both do have hsv1 and odds are it's oral since you both tested + for it on your initial igg blood testing. more likely your gf's 2nd test didn't pick up on the hsv1 infection than the 1st one was a false positive.

as for your gf's hsv2+ 2nd result, if you've been together for at least 3 months, odds are it's a false positive. I have no idea of the confirmatory herpes testing options in your country to help you seek out more accurate answers for that part.

grace