NCJ Number
146650
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1994) Pages: 129-135
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The stability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies was studied in serum, vitreous fluid, and bile samples obtained from eight HIV-positive autopsy cases; autopsy delay averaged 5 days.
Abstract
Samples were stored at room temperature for 51 to 314 days and tested repeatedly. In Western blotting on fresh postmortem samples, antibodies detected most virus proteins. Antibodies against all major envelope, core, and transmembrane proteins, although weakened, were also detected in stored sera. In stored vitreous fluid and bile, the envelope protein gp 160, the transmembrane protein gp 41, and the major core protein p 24 (in half of the cases) could still be detected. The disappearance of p 24 was associated with AIDS, but was detected in all samples from patients with early infection. In screening tests, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay applying synthetic peptide as an antigen detected antibodies from all serum samples but was less applicable to vitreous fluid and bile. Another immunoassay, applying recombinant antigen, succeeded in vitreous fluid and bile but not in sera. The rapid visually read assay detected antibodies in most samples of fresh whole blood, bile, and vitreous fluid samples but was less useful with stored specimens. 16 references, 2 tables, and 2 figures