Postmortem detection of hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency virus genomes in blood samples from drug-related deaths in Denmark*
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Postmortem detection of hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency virus genomes in blood samples from drug-related deaths in Denmark*. / Eriksen, Mette Brandt; Jakobsen, Marianne Antonius; Kringsholm, Birgitte; Banner, Jytte; Thomsen, Jørgen L; Georgsen, Jørgen; Pedersen, Court; Christensen, Peer Brehm.
I: Journal of Forensic Sciences, Bind 54, Nr. 5, 09.2009, s. 1085-8.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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T1 - Postmortem detection of hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency virus genomes in blood samples from drug-related deaths in Denmark*
AU - Eriksen, Mette Brandt
AU - Jakobsen, Marianne Antonius
AU - Kringsholm, Birgitte
AU - Banner, Jytte
AU - Thomsen, Jørgen L
AU - Georgsen, Jørgen
AU - Pedersen, Court
AU - Christensen, Peer Brehm
PY - 2009/9
Y1 - 2009/9
N2 - Blood-borne viral infections are widespread among injecting drug users; however, it is difficult to include these patients in serological surveys. Therefore, we developed a national surveillance program based on postmortem testing of persons whose deaths were drug related. Blood collected at autopsy was tested for anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), or anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies using commercial kits. Subsets of seropositive samples were screened for viral genomes using sensitive in-house and commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected in 20% (3/15) of anti-HBc-positive/anti-HBs-negative samples, HCV RNA was found in 64% (16/25) of anti-HCV-positive samples, and HIV RNA was detected in 40% (6/15) of anti-HIV-positive samples. The postmortem and antemortem prevalences of HBV DNA and HCV RNA were similar. Postmortem HIV RNA testing was less sensitive than antemortem testing. Thus, postmortem PCR analysis for HBV and HBC infection is feasible and relevant for demonstrating ongoing infections at death or for transmission analysis during outbreaks.
AB - Blood-borne viral infections are widespread among injecting drug users; however, it is difficult to include these patients in serological surveys. Therefore, we developed a national surveillance program based on postmortem testing of persons whose deaths were drug related. Blood collected at autopsy was tested for anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), or anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies using commercial kits. Subsets of seropositive samples were screened for viral genomes using sensitive in-house and commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected in 20% (3/15) of anti-HBc-positive/anti-HBs-negative samples, HCV RNA was found in 64% (16/25) of anti-HCV-positive samples, and HIV RNA was detected in 40% (6/15) of anti-HIV-positive samples. The postmortem and antemortem prevalences of HBV DNA and HCV RNA were similar. Postmortem HIV RNA testing was less sensitive than antemortem testing. Thus, postmortem PCR analysis for HBV and HBC infection is feasible and relevant for demonstrating ongoing infections at death or for transmission analysis during outbreaks.
KW - DNA, Viral
KW - Denmark
KW - Forensic Medicine
KW - HIV
KW - Hepatitis B
KW - Hepatitis C
KW - Humans
KW - Polymerase Chain Reaction
KW - Population Surveillance
KW - Prospective Studies
KW - RNA, Viral
KW - Substance-Related Disorders
U2 - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01111.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01111.x
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 19627416
VL - 54
SP - 1085
EP - 1088
JO - Journal of Forensic Sciences
JF - Journal of Forensic Sciences
SN - 0022-1198
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 46807497