Can anyone tell me what other viral and bacterial pathogens can cause false positive results with an ELISA?
[ 02-02-2009, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: nancyb ]
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
According to the CDC, the Elisa is an "extremely sensitive" test.
They recommend that the Elisa be done prior to a Western Blot.
If a Western Blot is done first, without an Elisa,
The chances of a "false positive" on the WB (according to the CDC) is inflated.
Of course we all know how sensitive the Elisa is.
I researched in a a non descriptive connective tissue inflammation issue
Or possibly Lupus can possibly cause a positive Elisa.
Know that Lyme loves connective tissue.
Know also that many with Lyme disease have had a positive ANA
Which later turns negative after antibiotic treatment.
My husband had an Elisa done.
It was actually positive.
My LLMD almost fell out when he heard that.
He said nobody gets a positive Elisa.
He also added that my husband must have Lyme.
Tested him via Igenex. It only confirmed the Elisa's results.
More likely to get a false negative in this disease than a false positive.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by nancyb (Member # 10154) on :
Yes, they like to say that the ELISA is very sensitive, but is it specific? No! That's why it can cross react with other pathogens.
If a patient has an ELISA performed and it is positive then a WB is done. If the WB is negative the doctors like to say that it was a false positive and send you on your way.
So...what is the ELISA picking up? I would think the doctor should then be looking into the other possible causes for the false positive. A doctor doesn't run an ELISA if the patient isn't sick.
If the following are potential cross reactions then the patient is obviously in need of medical care because a false positive means something.
Borrelia of other species, Syphilis, Leptospirosis, Epstein Barr Autoimmune diseases like Lupus
I'm wondering what else should be added to this list.
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
So here's a tough one then...
My ELISA came back positive... twice. WB (Quest) was negative (no bands)... twice. WB (Quest) positive 23 band only after several wks of abx. Igenex positive with lots of bands and + signs. Also positive for EVB and HHV6.
BUT... when my doctor was originally trying to figure out what was wrong with me, he ran all types of neuro tests, including an FTA-ABS (syphilis confirmatory test) and I got a "low reactive" on this one.
Yikes! Low reactive for syphilis? Holy cow!
But here's my thing... I've "technically" been... ahem... saving myself for marriage, although technically it isn't completely impossible for me to have syph because apparently there are other ways.
Anyway, I know this should probably be in a completely separate post. This post just got me wondering again if I'm the only "virgin" on the planet to have somehow magically gotten syphilis??
All this time, should I be treating neuro-syph, not lyme?
Am I barking up the wrong spirochete??
Thank God for anonymity.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
If it were syphillis,
Then a ten day run of antibiotics would cure you.
Right?
If you have Lyme specific bands, (i.e. 23)
Then you are barking up the right tree.
If it is both syphillis and Lyme,
Then you are killing two birds with one stone.
Hang in there. Kudos to you for saving yourself for marriage.
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