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What Does This HerpeSelect Test Report Indicate?
Posted on
Sun, 29 May 2016
Sun, 29 May 2016
Answered on
Tue, 5 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I have a question regarding the HerpeSelect test and HSV1/2.
In a recent set of full blood work I had done, I have reports of high levels of Nitrite and 'Many' Bacteria present in my Urine according to a Urinalysis (did not say what, just 'Many'). My Metabolic panel also shows high levels of Bilirubin. I was experiencing the frequent need to urinate and also pink/red at the tip of my penis (meatus). It never felt stinging/ burning or smelt when I urinated. There was no discharge etc...
So a couple of weeks before I went for the HerpeSelect test I had just finished a 7-day, 1200mg/day course of Metronidazole after suspecting Trichomoniasis.
My results came back negative for all other STD's (trich, gon, hiv etc) but positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I have never shown any symptoms and this has come as a shock to me. Is it possible the underlying bacterial infection I had (and currently still have) and the recent medication has increased the antibodies that the HerpeSelect testing looks for? It was the IgG type-specific ABS testing.
I have not had a sexual partner for the last 7 months and my previous partner of 10+ years has tested negative. I just do not understand how I have possibly contracted HSV-2 without sexual intimacy.
Any advice about a possible false positive due to underlying medical / bacterial infection would be greatly appreciated (good or bad).
In a recent set of full blood work I had done, I have reports of high levels of Nitrite and 'Many' Bacteria present in my Urine according to a Urinalysis (did not say what, just 'Many'). My Metabolic panel also shows high levels of Bilirubin. I was experiencing the frequent need to urinate and also pink/red at the tip of my penis (meatus). It never felt stinging/ burning or smelt when I urinated. There was no discharge etc...
So a couple of weeks before I went for the HerpeSelect test I had just finished a 7-day, 1200mg/day course of Metronidazole after suspecting Trichomoniasis.
My results came back negative for all other STD's (trich, gon, hiv etc) but positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I have never shown any symptoms and this has come as a shock to me. Is it possible the underlying bacterial infection I had (and currently still have) and the recent medication has increased the antibodies that the HerpeSelect testing looks for? It was the IgG type-specific ABS testing.
I have not had a sexual partner for the last 7 months and my previous partner of 10+ years has tested negative. I just do not understand how I have possibly contracted HSV-2 without sexual intimacy.
Any advice about a possible false positive due to underlying medical / bacterial infection would be greatly appreciated (good or bad).
Brief Answer:
I suggest you to repeat the test from another laboratory
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern
Though there is always a small false positive and false negative rate with any serological test but IgG herpes select is very sensitive and specific. Bacterial infection would not alter the level of antibodies.
Nevertheless Hsv infection can remain asymptomatic for long in patients who have had different sexual partners in the past (at different times) without the knowledge of patient and may be first discovered on serology. It may be difficult to know from whom did the patient acquire infection.
In any case I suggest you to repeat the test from a different laboratory for a confirmatory diagnosis.
Regards
I suggest you to repeat the test from another laboratory
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern
Though there is always a small false positive and false negative rate with any serological test but IgG herpes select is very sensitive and specific. Bacterial infection would not alter the level of antibodies.
Nevertheless Hsv infection can remain asymptomatic for long in patients who have had different sexual partners in the past (at different times) without the knowledge of patient and may be first discovered on serology. It may be difficult to know from whom did the patient acquire infection.
In any case I suggest you to repeat the test from a different laboratory for a confirmatory diagnosis.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, thank you for your response, I failed to mention a few things in the original email.
When I had the blood taken, the nurse found it strange there was no 'ice pack' or instructions to ship the blood in a cool state. It was simply sent as it was and according to the time stamps took 3-4 days to arrive at its destination.
From the same set of blood vials drawn I was due to have a full CBC results set made but the report stated "CBC could not be completed as specimen was too old to obtain specific results."
Could an old, uncooled, blood set cause issues?
Also, I had chickenpox as a child, would this cause any false readings?
I will schedule a follow up test with another clinic but just wanted to get your opinion.
Many thanks!
When I had the blood taken, the nurse found it strange there was no 'ice pack' or instructions to ship the blood in a cool state. It was simply sent as it was and according to the time stamps took 3-4 days to arrive at its destination.
From the same set of blood vials drawn I was due to have a full CBC results set made but the report stated "CBC could not be completed as specimen was too old to obtain specific results."
Could an old, uncooled, blood set cause issues?
Also, I had chickenpox as a child, would this cause any false readings?
I will schedule a follow up test with another clinic but just wanted to get your opinion.
Many thanks!
Brief Answer:
Kindly redo the test however inadequate preservation is an unlikely reason
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
An inadequately preserved blood test would certainly not cause formation of hsv antibodies. Moreover since the ELISA for hsv is highly specific, therefore an inadequately preserved blood is unlikely to be the cause of false positive result. I would still suggest that you repeat the test.
Chicken pox is caused by a different herpes virus and does not cross react with hsv.
Regards
Kindly redo the test however inadequate preservation is an unlikely reason
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
An inadequately preserved blood test would certainly not cause formation of hsv antibodies. Moreover since the ELISA for hsv is highly specific, therefore an inadequately preserved blood is unlikely to be the cause of false positive result. I would still suggest that you repeat the test.
Chicken pox is caused by a different herpes virus and does not cross react with hsv.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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