When using the same specimen for both initial antibody screening and confirmatory PCR of a pathogen, then false positive results can occur.
Scenario:
(1) An initial serology test for a pathogen is performed on a specimen and is positive.
(2) The initial serology test used the same pipet tip to sample the specimen and the testing reagent.
(3) The same specimen is sent out for confirmatory testing using PCR.
(4) The confirmatory PCR test for the pathogen is positive.
(5) A false positive test is suspected since the result does not match the clinical status.
Subsequent investigation shows that the testing reagent for the serology test contains RNA from the pathogen of interest. Repeat testing on new specimens should show a negative PCR for the pathogen.
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