Is it possible to have an Indeterminate Western Blot result and have a Viral Load of 55,000 to 60,000, or would this high of a viral load automatically cause the Western Blot results to be positive. I was recently tested twice and the Elisa came back positive 2 times and the Western Blot came back Indterminate 2 times. My doctor then ordered more testing to determine antibodies and viral load. The results indicated a viral load of 59,000, and T-Cell count of 750 to 780. He put me on a regimen of Epivir, Crixivan, and Indinivir beginning in Feb. 2001. The State Health Dept. contacted me for questioning etc. and offered for me to be tested again. They did the swab test which came back neg. Just today, 4/26/01, they drew blood to perform another Western Blot in order to confirm their neg result. They advised me that "it is possible that my specimen may have gotten mixed up with someone else's or contamination???---the lab tech told the counselor that "in his/her experience that if "my" viral load was that high, that the Western Blot result should have definitely been positive?" Please advise your expert opinion. I continue to take the medications until the Western Blot results come back from the State Health Dept. at which time my Dr. may accept their result, or want to perform another test in His Clinic. I hope that the possibility of "sero-conversion does not supply a plausible explanation. Of course I am hoping/praying for a "permanent" undeniable negative result!! Thank you.

During acute infection it is almost certain you will have a positive viral load test and indeterminate western blot. Virus appears first after infection, followed in days to weeks by an antibody response. It seems unlikely to me that you would have positive results on three separate blood draws (if I am reading you correctly), 2 antibody tests, and a separate viral load test. If you remain on treatment, a followup viral load could be undetectable now (even if you are infected) because that is what treatment is supposed to do. The only wrinkle in this is the negative oral antibody test. Otherwise it all appears consistent with early infection. I agree with the repeat testing to figure out what is going on. MH