Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello,
This type of situation is becoming a QTND (question that never dies) and like all QTNDs has an ATNC (answer that never changes). The information you need and reassurance you desire has been waiting for your double click in the archives. (See below.)
Briefly, the antibody (Abs) test is the preliminary screening test and that revealed a "HIGH" result (presumable reactive or positive result). This should, and did, trigger a more specific confirmatory test (the Western Blot), which has come back as "indeterminate." Please note, indeterminate does not mean positive! It means the test can't quite determine if you're negative or positive. Certainly if you've had essentially no HIV risk, there is essentially no way you could be HIV positive and your tests will eventually confirm this.
Your next step should be to repeat your HIV-screening tests. If you again get an indeterminate result, you should then get an HIV DNA PCR qualitative test. The HIV DNA PCR qualitative test is not routinely recommended for HIV screening, but can be helpful in sorting out unclear or indeterminate HIV-antibody results. HIV DNA PCR testing does not utilize anti-HIV antibodies, but rather detects a piece of genetic material from the HIV virus itself.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
Indeterminate Results
Apr 16, 2007
Hi Dr.Bob, I had a reactive Elisa test done and and Indeterminate WB with P26 band present. I have not had any exposure in over 12 years before I married and my wife is nonreactive on Elisa. Does indeterminate mean I am HIV+ and can the Flu cause this kind of results?
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello,
Another QTND (Question That Never Dies). See below and then check the archives for additional detailed information related to this common conundrum.
Please note you are most likely HIV negative, based on nonexistent risk and an indeterminate WB. Subsequent testing should confirm my very strong suspicion that your ELISA test is a false-positive. The "flu" would not cause these results, but there are many other potential causes.
Dr. Bob
inderminate WB test (INDETERMINATE WESTERN BLOT) Feb 9, 2007
I tested positive in teh ELISA test and have an inderminate result in the WB test. In my opinion, I am a low risk person. In the past 3 years, I have had unprotected sex with 2 different guys, one being in the military, who has tested negative and one who was married for 10+ years before me. I am unsure what bands showed up on my WB test. What is the percentage of an inderminate WB test turning into a positive HIV test? I was told I could not get tested again for 3 months and I have asked my 2 recent sex partners to get tested.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello,
Indeterminate Western Blot tests account for 4% to 20% of Western Blot assays in various studies. The causes of indeterminate results include:
1. Serologic tests in the process of seroconversion; anti-p24 is usually the first antibody band to appear.
2. Late-stage HIV infection, usually with loss of core antibody.
3. Cross-reacting nonspecific antibodies, as seen with collagen-vascular disease, autoimmune diseases, lymphoma, liver disease, injection drug use, multiple sclerosis, parity or recent immunization.
4. Infection with O strain or HIV-2.
5. HIV vaccine recipients.
6. Technical or clerical error.
The most important factor in evaluating indeterminate Western Blot test results is risk assessment. Patients in low-risk categories with indeterminate tests are almost never infected with either HIV-1 or HIV-2; repeat testing often continues to show indeterminate results and the cause of this pattern is often not elucidated. For this reason, it's important to realize that HIV infection in situations like yours is extremely unlikely, although a follow-up test in three months is recommended to provide absolute assurance. Patients with indeterminate tests who are in the process of seroconversion usually have positive Western Blots within one month. DNA PCR may also be helpful for sorting out indeterminate serologic test results. An HIV specialist can help assess your HIV risk and interpret HIV test results if necessary.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
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