Skip to main content
Log in

Postmortem viability of the human immunodeficiency virus

  • Original Works
  • Published:
International Journal of Legal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In 1989 blood samples from 2581 fatalities investigated at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Hamburg were screened for HIV-1-antibodies. Sera from 13 corpses were confirmed positive for HIV-1 (prevalence rate approx 0.5 %).-Viable HIV was found in blood cultures of 4 cadavers stored under non-refrigerated conditions up to 36 hours after death.

Zusammenfassung

Im Jahre 1989 wurden Blutproben von 2581 in das Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Hamburg eingelieferten Leichen auf HIV-1-Antikörper untersucht. 13 Fälle (Prävalenz 0.5 %) waren HIV-positiv. — Die Virusisolierung aus Vollblut war bei 4 Verstorbenen bis zu maximal 36 Stunden postmortaler Leichenliegezeit ohne Kühlmaßnahmen erfolgreich.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Henry K, Dexter D, Sannerud K, Jackson B, Balfour H (1989) Recovery of HIV at autopsy. N Engl J Med 321:1833

    Google Scholar 

  2. Janssen W, Trübner K, Püschel K (1989) Death caused by drug addiction: A review of the experiences in Hamburg and the situation in the Federal Republic of Germany in comparison with the literature. Forensic Sci Int 43:223–237

    Google Scholar 

  3. Klatt EC, Shibata D, Strigle SM (1989) Postmortem enzyme immunoassay for human immunodeficiency virus. Arch Pathol Lab Med 113:485–487

    Google Scholar 

  4. Penning R, Tutsch-Bauer E, Beer G, Gürtler L, Spann W (1989) HIV-Infektion bei gerichtlichen Leichenöffnungen. Beitr Gerichtl Med 47:23–29

    Google Scholar 

  5. Püschel K, Mohsenian F, Bornemann R, Bschor F, Schneider V, Penning R, Spann W, Karger J von, Madea B, Metter D (1990) HIV-1-Prävalenz bei Drogentoten in verschiedenen Großstädten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und in Westberlin zwischen 1985 und 1988. Z Rechtsmed 103:407–414

    Google Scholar 

  6. Püschel K, Lieske K, Hashimoto Y, Karch H, Laufs R, Racz P, Janssen W (1987) HIV-infection in forensic autopsy cases. Forensic Sci Int 34:169–174

    Google Scholar 

  7. Püschel K, Lieske K, Janssen W, Racz P, Karch H, Laufs R (1987) AIDS-Diagnostik unter postmortalen Bedingungen. Beitr Gerichtl Med 45:129–134

    Google Scholar 

  8. Pïschel K, Penning R (1990) HIV-1-Prävalenz bei rechtsmedizinisch untersuchten Todesfällen (Hamburg und München 1989). Beitr Gerichtl Med 48 (in press)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry for Research and Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany (FKZ Nr. I-077-89)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Püschell, K., Mohsenian, F., Laufs, R. et al. Postmortem viability of the human immunodeficiency virus. Int J Leg Med 104, 109–110 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01626041

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01626041

Key words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation