Detection of hepatitis C virus and antibodies in postmortem blood and bloodstains

J Clin Microbiol. 2011 Mar;49(3):1122-3. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01887-10. Epub 2011 Jan 19.

Abstract

To evaluate the risk of accidental hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we examined whether anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA were detectable in HCV-infected blood samples from living donors, cadavers, and bloodstains. We showed that even after blood has left the body for several days, anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA may persist in it.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood / immunology*
  • Blood / virology*
  • Blood Stains*
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Risk Assessment
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies