If you are curious about the health risks associated with HIV and you suspect that you or your partner may have the virus, you may want to consider an ELISA test to find out whether you are infected with the virus. However, before you invest in this test, you should know that the positive predictive value of this test is relatively low. Therefore, if you suspect you or your partner may be infected with the virus, you should delay any sexual activity until you receive the results.
Several studies have been conducted to compare the two tests, using the Focus HerpeSelect HSV-2 ELISA and the WB test. The Focus HSV-2 ELISA is a relatively sensitive test, so it is likely to give a false-positive result. Nonetheless, if the WB test indicates that you do have the virus, the focus HSV-2 ELISA is a good alternative for this test.
Although it is not a perfect test, it is considered an excellent diagnostic tool for the detection of HSV. The test can also help in determining whether you've got the virus if you're asymptomatic and haven't yet had any symptoms. This blood test uses recombinant glycoprotein G-1 and -2 antigen. It is based on the fact that these viruses are highly cross-reactive.
Generally, the Focus HSV-2 ELISA was found to be highly accurate in identifying HSV infection in patients. Its positive predictive value jumped from 80.5% to 96.7% after the Biokit test. And the negative predictive value stayed at 99.6%. It seems that Biokit has finally cracked the code on HSV testing. But how do you determine if the test is correct?
Although ELISAs are widely available and widely used, studies have had difficulty comparing them. However, the Bayesian theorem suggests that the positive predictive value of the test increases as the prevalence of HSV-1 rises. Therefore, you should seek an ELISA test for HSV infection if you suspect you are infected. But before you purchase an ELISA, it's important to understand its limitations.
Generally, ELISA tests are sensitive but not specific enough. In some cases, a test with DBS may be inaccurate because the antibody index is too low. However, the manufacturer of that test reported sensitivity and specificity of 98%. The difference between the two methods may be due to the standardization of the kit. There are other methods to improve the sensitivity and specificity of an ELISA test.
In addition to ELISA tests, some patients have an IgM antibody to HSV. This can indicate a current or previous infection. However, if you have an indeterminate HSV status, repeat testing is necessary. Having an IgM antibody is the best indicator of your current infection, while a negative result may be due to an ongoing outbreak. If you have a negative result, you should consider undergoing a PCR test.
Focus-HSV-1 and WB tests showed 99.7% concordance, with discordance in 16% of samples. However, the WB was positive in all but one sample. Another study from Songkla, Thailand reported 98.2% and 93% concordance, respectively. Among the sites, these tests showed no geographical differences. So, the discordance between WB and ELISA tests may be due to specimen mix-up. After testing, there maybe some residual substances on the ELISA plate. In order to reduce the errors caused by the residues, an ELISA washer is needed.
ELISA is a diagnostic test that measures the presence of IgG antitela HSV-2. It detects the presence of specific proteins in the blood, such as imunoglobuline antibodies and antitijela. The positive results are usually accompanied by hemolitick granules. ELISA tests are very effective in detecting the presence of HSV in pregnant women.