IGG TEST RESULTS VERY CONFUSING

[MMOB80]

Good Morning, I have been dating my girlfriend now since march. We have been intimate several times (2+ times per week) and had talked about being hsv 1 and hsv 2 free,  I was last tested before i began dating her and was neg for both 1 and 2.  in november ( one month ago) we decided to both get tested like i do once a year and asked if she would be willing to go which was no problem.  The tests that are of concern were the igg herpeselect test done thru quest diagnostic. when we called days later for the results, mine were both neg with values at .03 and .03 for type 1& 2.  hers was .10 for type 1 and 5.00 for type 2.  At first we were both shocked, thinking how is that possible, she has NEVER had any symptoms of having this and we have had lots of unprotected vaginal and oral sex and mine are still both negative.  so after about two weeks i convinced her to call back and have another test done because i didnt believe it.   This time when the results came back they were .18 for type 1 and .19 for type 2.  Same test IGG herpeselect the only difference if it matters was that the first testing site that quest sent the test to was in california and the second was in pittsburg pa both done with quest diagnostics.  When we were on the phone with the testing guy and explained what happened with the first test he assured us that he believed she was negative and there was nothing to worry about.  Just looking to hear your opinion now. How does a test go from a very high positive result to such a low one in 4-5 weeks time? which test should we be believing?  i could understand if they went from negative to positive but these went from first being positive to then being negative.  doesnt make any sense and also like i said mine are both negative after dating her for 9+ months.  Any help here would be greatly appreciated and helpful. trying to think optimistic but just want to make sure we are not assuming the wrong senario.

Thank you in advance for your help with this

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, based on these results, I would assume that she is negative and that there was a mix up along the line somewhere with the first test. Thank goodness you both pursued this unexpected finding.  The negative values always vary from time to time, that is totally to be expected, there is no meaning at all in this small variance and absolutely nothing to worry about.  

Best to you both.

Terri

[MMOB80]

Good afternoon, So here is the update to all this mess!!

My girlfriend got her results back today from the 3rd test and both came back negative.  The values this time were .08 for type 1 and .21 for type 2, as opposed to .18 and .19 from the first negative result.  to summarize, out of 3 tests the first one was positive for type 2 at 5.0 and the second and third were negative. What do you think about this? is it safe to assume that she is indeed negative for both types? and also does the value going from .19 to .21 show a rise in anything or is that to be a concern?  thank you for your help and for your time to help us sort all this out.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Again, I believe that mixes up could have occurred with either test, and the likelihood isn't greater with one test than another.  She needs a third test, Dr. Handsfield agrees, to sort out this mystery.

Terri

[MMOB80]

thanks for the response, the test occured the first time from some testing service online which she had a very hard time even contacting. the phone number actually seemed to be out of order at times when we called and that was for the first positive 5.0 result.  the second time was also a online testing service called advanced testing center which i have personally used several times for years without problems and that was the negative result.  the first test was sent by quest diag to california and the second test also done by quest (but different online testing company) was sent to pittsburg pa.  i agree with you that if i wouldnt have made my girlfriend get another test that she could possibly go on walking around thinking she had hsv2 with a result of 5.0 and never knew that it was incorrect.  does it stike you as being odd that the first one was 5.0 and the second was sooooo much lower? after getting the second result from calling advanced testing and speaking with the counsolur and explaining what hapopened the first time, he assured her that he believed her negative result and shoudlnt worry any further.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Hi there,
I see that you've also posted with Dr. Handsfield.  I think he gave you excellent advice.  I can see why you are completely befuddled by such different test results.  I would strongly agree that this is a lab issue - not sure about the reagents being the problem, but mix up of samples does occur - could either be in the provider's office or in the lab.  You most certainly need another test to sort this out, because the error could have happened with either sample, right?  You could either for another ELISA (HerpeSelect) or a herpes western blot if you have significant worries about the lab credibility.  I personally think another Herpeselect test would resolve your worries if it is negative.  The scary thing about this is that if the third test tells you she is indeed negative, then there might be someone out there who is strongly positive that doesn't know it.  Not your problem, I know, but still, a concern.  May I ask how the testing occurred?  Online testing service, private provider's office?  

The blood pressure medicine would have nothing to do with the test results, but thanks for that head's up.

Please let me know how this turns out, OK?

Terri

[MMOB80]

also a side note that i forgot to mention, if it is useful info at all, she was on blood pressure medication and still is daily and i dont know if that is relevant to the first test result or the second.  or if it can affect the tests at all

Thank you again