testing test results

[meme1234135]

this question for for dr. handsfield wondering if you could help me understand what is going on with me  4 years ago i had a vaginal sore went to the doctor she said that it did not look like herpes but did a culture which was neg. it was there for over a month me and my husband of 17 years had very rough sex prior to that. i then ask her to do some blood tests not sure what type she did but  the results were:
hsv1/2 igg 1.5h
hsv1/2 igg intrep pos a
hsv 2 igg type spec. neg.

she said this test was neg. i ask her to repeat the test so we repeated it 3 times the results are below:

these 2 tests are titer test (not sure what that means)                      (This test is the herpeselect)
                                                                                                    HSV 1/2 IGG 1.1
                                                                                                    HSV 1 IGG SPEC. <.91
                                                                                                    HSV 2 TYPE SPEC. <0.91
hsv 2 igg spec 1.5


hsv 1 pos.
hsv 2 pos.
some how your reply disappeared on my end but the reason that iam looking for a hopeful answer is because my doctors here will not do any other testing such as the wb also my results show within the normal range at <.91 what does equivocal mean?

[meme1234135]

A related discussion, testing was started.

[meme1234135]

A related discussion, testing was started.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct. You do not have herpes.  EWH

[meme1234135]

sorry one last question so chances are test 2 and 3 are inaccurate. so no herpes right?

[meme1234135]

since all is good and i don't have herpes just wanted to say thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It looks as though some of the tests you had were not HerpeSelect tests. I say this because there are no numbers given.  The tests whose results are reported out as positve or negative or as ratios tend to be unreliable.

The test to believe are your most recent ones (4th tests).  these are HerpeSelect tests which indicate that you do not have HSV or any sort.  

Personally, I see little to be gained by repeat testing.   EWH

[meme1234135]

since the text was messed up i will see if i can retype them:
1st test                                    2nd test
hsv 1/2 igg 1.5h                         hsv 2 igg spec. igg
hsv 1/2 igg intrep pos a
hsv igg type spec. neg.


3rd test                                     4th test
hsv 1 pos.                                hsv1/2 igg 1.1
hsv  2 pos.                                hsv igg spec <.91
                                                hsv 2 type spec. 0.91  

dr is planning on repeating herpeselect in nov. is this a good idea?


  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Dr. Handsfield and I share the site.  This time you got me.  We always agree on the advice we give and have for the more than 30 years we've worked together.

Please ignore any ratios such as the HSV 1/2 IgG in which your value is 1.1.  this is meaningless.  We need to judge your status based on the specific test results, not ratios

The results of your tests that you report are a bit hard to read because they appear to have "wrapped" around on your text.  It appears that you have Herpeselect results for HSV 1 IgG of <.91 and HSV 2 IgG of <.91.  If this is the case, both of these results are negative for antibodies to HSV of any sort.

There is also a result I see of HSV 2 IgG of 1.5.  If this is a result, it is in the "equivocal" range and, in this range about 80% of specimens giving this value turn out to be negative.  For you, in the context of your other negative results, I would say that it appears that you have no evidence of having either HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Hope this helps.  If I have misinterpreted your result, please let me know.  EWH