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Blood Test
I've just undertaken a STI screening. My urine test for Chlamydia PCR came back as "not detected" but the blood test showed Chlamydia IgG Ab as positive - value was 1.6. Does this mean I have an infection or is the antibody test a remnant from a Chlamydia infection I had over 10 years ago. I'm in a relationship and do not want to risk passing on an infection. Some clarity over why two tests are performed and what they each intend to establish would be appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
All too often health care providers will see a test listed and order it under the assumption that it will provide useful information. That is not always the case.
In your case you could have chlamydial antibodies from a previous chlamydial infection, from a sore throat caused in the past by a related organism called Chlamydia pnuemoniae or from detection of cross reacting antibodies unrelated to chlamydia which were detected by a not very good test.
Again, believe the PCR. Take care. EWH
In your case you could have chlamydial antibodies from a previous chlamydial infection, from a sore throat caused in the past by a related organism called Chlamydia pnuemoniae or from detection of cross reacting antibodies unrelated to chlamydia which were detected by a not very good test.
Again, believe the PCR. Take care. EWH
Thank you very much Edward. I very much appreciate the advice you have given me.
Thank you for this as it's put my mind at rest. Can you offer any advise as to why this test was likely to have been carried out if it's generally accepted to be insensitive and non-specific? The only outcome seems to have been to cause a lot of undue stress and worry. I'm also presuming by non-specific you are meaning it doesn't differentiate between existing infection and previous infections. This is important for me given I had a chlamydia infection which was treated by antibiotics some time ago.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. PCR are the most sensitive tests there are for detection of active chlamydial infection and their results are to be believed. In contrast, the antibody tests are not recommended for diagnosis. they are both insensitive and non-specific., As a result there are not regularly recommended for any diagnostic purpose. My advice is to believe your PCR and to ignore the antibody test. You have no reason to worry. EWH
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