Stability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies in postmortem samples.

Author(s): Karhunen PJ, Brummer-Korvenkontio H, Leinikki P, Nyberg M

Publication: J Forensic Sci, 1994, Vol. 39, Page 129-35

PubMed ID: 8113695 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of room temperature storage and assay type on the detection of HIV proteins in serum. Specimens were collected from 8 individuals after a postmortem interval (PMI) of 3-5 days.

   Summary of Findings:

   All of the HIV proteins were detected by Western blot in serum when assayed immediately after autopsy, and after storage of specimens at room temperature for 51 days, most proteins were still detected by Western, but at lower levels. The Combi 1-2 test detected HIV proteins in all 8 serum specimens, even after storage, but the Wellcozyme-HIV-recombinant assay detected HIV proteins in only in 4 of the 8 fresh specimens and 3 of 8 stored specimens. Importantly, dilution of the serum sometimes allowed for HIV protein detection by the Wellcozyme-HIV-recombinant assay. The TestPak kit successfully detected HIV in 7 of the 8 fresh serum specimens but gave inconclusive results for stored serum specimens because of problems absorbing on the membrane.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • AIDS/HIV-related
   • Autopsy

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	ELISA
   Protein	Immunoassay
   Protein	Western blot

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 days 51 days
   ELISA Specific	Technology platform	Combi 1-2 test ELISA Wellcozyme-HIV recombinant Wellcome ELIS Organnon teknika Western blot TestPack HIV-1/HIV-2 visual assay

   View more

2. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of room temperature storage and assay type on the detection of HIV proteins in vitreous fluid. Specimens were collected from 8 individuals after a PMI of 3-5 days.

   Summary of Findings:

   All of the HIV proteins were detected by Western blot in vitreous fluid when assayed immediately after autopsy, and after storage of specimens at room temperature for 51 days, most proteins were still detected by Western, but at much lower levels. The Combi 1-2 test detected HIV proteins in only 4 and 3 of 8 fresh and stored specimens, respectively. The Wellcozyme-HIV-recombinant assay detected HIV proteins in all 8 fresh vitreous fluid specimens, but in only 6 of 8 stored specimens. The TestPak kit detected HIV in 6 of 8 fresh and stored vitreous humor specimens.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Vitreous Humor

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • AIDS/HIV-related
   • Autopsy

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	ELISA
   Protein	Immunoassay
   Protein	Western blot

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 days 51 days
   ELISA Specific	Technology platform	Combi 1-2 test ELISA Wellcozyme-HIV recombinant Wellcome ELISA TestPack HIV-1/HIV-2 visual assay Organnon teknika Western blot

   View more

3. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of room temperature storage and assay type on the detection of HIV proteins in bile. Specimens were collected from 8 individuals after a PMI of 3-5 days.

   Summary of Findings:

   All of the HIV proteins were detected by Western blot when assayed immediately after autopsy, and after storage of bile specimens at room temperature for 51 days, most proteins were still detected by Western. The Combi 1-2 test detected HIV proteins in only 7 of 8 unstored and 5 of 8 stored bile specimens. The Wellcozyme-HIV-recombinant assay detected HIV proteins in all 8 fresh and all 8 stored bile specimens. The TestPak kit detected HIV in all 8 fresh and 6 of 8 stored bile specimens.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Bile

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • AIDS/HIV-related
   • Autopsy

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	ELISA
   Protein	Immunoassay
   Protein	Western blot

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 days 51 days
   ELISA Specific	Technology platform	Combi 1-2 test ELISA Wellcozyme-HIV recombinant Wellcome ELISA TestPack HIV-1/HIV-2 visual assay Organnon teknika Western blot

   View more