Use of vitreous humour of the eye for HIV antibody tests of medicolegal autopsies. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Use of vitreous humour of the eye for HIV antibody tests of medicolegal autopsies.

Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9;5:489 (abstract no. B.552). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA5/00253789
Kantanen ML; Brummer-Korvenkontio H; Karhunen PJ; Penttila A; Leinikki P; National Public Health Institute and Department of Forensic; Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In a HIV surveillance study all medicolegal autopsies have been tested in Helsinki area (N=3558). Since serum is often hemolysed and difficult to run in the standard tests, we tried other fluids for sample material. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vitreous humour as sample material for HIV antibody tests of medicolegal autopsies. METHODS: Wellcome's and Abbott's recombinant EIAs were used as primary tests for HIV-antibodies. Confirmation was done with standard western blots. Sera, vitreous humour and gall bladder fluid were collected from a HIV positive case and the results compared to negative cases. RESULTS: Vitreous humour gave a positive result in both EIA tests, although the signal was weaker than for sera. WB showed typical pattern with reactivity against all major components of the virus. No indication of nonspecific background reactivity was observed. CONCLUSION: Vitreous humour can be used for HIV antibody assay using standard commercial EIA tests. Comparison of the sensitivity of different tests will be presented. In autopsies the material is easy to obtain and does not have the drawbacks of serum samples which are often severely hemolysed.
Keywords: *Autopsy Eye Diseases/DIAGNOSIS/*PATHOLOGY Finland Human HIV Antibodies/*ANALYSIS HIV Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY *Population Surveillance Sensitivity and Specificity Vitreous Body/*IMMUNOLOGY/PATHOLOGY ABSTRACTKWDautopsyeyediseases/diagnosis/KWDpathologyfinlandhumanhivantibodies/KWDanalysishivinfections/KWDdiagnosis/pathologyKWDpopulationsurveillancesensitivityandspecificityvitreousbody/KWDimmunology/pathologyabstract
900930
M9093692

Copyright © 1990 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1990. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1990. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .