Accuracy of test results

[Artwork12]

Is there a need to get retested if HSV Type I IGG AB is 2.67 and HSV Type II IGG is 2.56 and never had any symptoms? The tests were performed at LabCorp. I've read there is a possibility of a false positive if <3.2.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Absolutely there is a need to confirm both of these values.  I would suggest the western blot.  You can obtain a test kit from the University of Washington and have your health care provider draw and send the blood or my clinic can arrange testing for you if you become a phone patient of ours.  

There is about a 40% chance that the HSV 2 could be a false positive.

Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Here is the whole reference
BMC Infect Dis. 2005 Oct 14;5:84.
Use of "biokit HSV-2 Rapid Assay" to improve the positive predictive value of Focus HerpeSelect HSV-2 ELISA.
Morrow RA, Friedrich D, Meier A, Corey L.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The cut off is 3.5, not 3.2.  I can give you a reference for the low positive false positive numbers.  I don't know how she will order it, but she can order the test kit from US.  Yes, many of the positives are true positives, but between 1.1 and 3.5, half are false positives.

Use of "biokit HSV-2 Rapid Assay" to improve the positive predictive value of Focus HerpeSelect HSV-2 ELISA.

Terri

[Artwork12]

Thanks. My doctor is going to order a western blot. She said she has never heard of false positives < 3.2 She has patients with actual outbreaks that are sent for the same test I had and it came back with positive results in the same range as my results which were less than 3.2. She doesn't understand where the 3.2 came from.