[Question #13262] Test Accuracy

1 months ago

Hi Doctors

Thanks for this forum who provides a lot of knowledge!

My question may sound silly, but just wanted to make sure: I have Keratoconus (eye disease) and wanted to know:

1. If having Keratoconus would affect the reliability of the HIV COMBO (the test who tests for HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibodies and HIV 1 antigen p24?
2. If having Keratoconus would affect the reliability of these following tests: Chlamydia(urine), Gonorrhea(urine), Hep c, Hep b and syphilis test?

Thanks for your time

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

1. The current HIV tests are extremely robust; virtually nothing is know to affect their accuracy. While I have no specific knowledge about keratoconus, there are no known medical problems of any kind that have any effect on the timing or reliability of any of the HIV tests currently in use, including the antigen-antibody (AgAb, COMBO) test. I can't imagine that keratoconus would have any such effect.

2. There also is no reason to suspect KC would have any effect on any of these tests either.

Do you want to say anything about your HIV/STI risks or other reasons for your question?

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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1 months ago

Thanks for the quick answer but, oh, now my anxiety level just got a bit up ..

reason for my question is just to make sure and move on : 9months after exposure, I tested for Chlamydia(urine), Gonorrhea(urine) HIV COMBO (HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibodies and HIV 1 antigen p24), Hep c, Hep b , and syphilis

and one year after exposure, I tested for again HIV COMBO (HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibodies and HIV 1 antigen p24), Hep c, Hep b , and syphilis

from my researches, Keratocone is not a immunosuppressive disease, it does not suppress immunity and is not considered autoimmune disease.

from your answer saying that you can't imagine Keratoconus would have effect on the test who tests for HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibodies and HIV 1 antigen p24, can I conclude that it has no effect on this test as well as Chlamydia(urine), Gonorrhea(urine), Hep c, Hep b and syphilis test ?

Thanks again for your time

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

That's exactly the opposite reaction you should have had from my reply. There is no chance your KC had any effect on your test results and I see no valid reason for you to have repeated the tests a second time, no matter how risky your exposure might have been (which you still have not described). All results are valid and it is certain you have none of those infections.---
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30 days ago

Thanks for the clarification Doctor HHH.

For the final follow up and to conclude for general knowledge: having Keratoconus would have no effect on the reliability of the HIV COMBO (the test who tests for HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibodies and HIV 1 antigen p24, Chlamydia(urine), Gonorrhea(urine), Hep c, Hep b and syphilis test, correct ?

Thanks and enjoy your summer!