The use of the anti-Glycophorin a antibody in the detection of red blood cell residues in human soft tissue lesions decomposed in air and water: a pilot study

Abstract

The distinction between antemortem and postmortem wounds is one of the most important medico-legal problems. In fresh cadavers the macroscopic examination of haemorrhagic infiltration can be sufficient to reveal the vitality of a wound but in more difficult cases (putrefied corpses) histological and histochemical analyses need to be performed. The scope of this study was to detect the vitality of soft tissue samples in an advanced state of putrefaction using a monoclonal anti-human Glycoforin A antibody in order to evaluate the presence of red blood cells or red blood cell residues. Samples of skin wounds were taken from cadavers with a known time survival between trauma and death, and then submitted to a simulated putrefaction procedure. The skin samples were left to decompose for 30 days in air and in water and analyzed at a time interval of 3-6-15-30 days. These samples were stained with haematoxylin eosin stain, trichrome stain and with immunohistochemical stains. Results showed that in the air red blood cells could be seen for up to six days and granular deposits of Glycophorin reactive material for up to 15 days whereas no red blood cells were recognizable after 30 days. In water red cell putrefaction (or non-detection) was faster than in the air: after six days only amorphous granular deposits slightly reactive to Glycophorin could be seen. Nonetheless results showed that extravasated red blood cell residues can still be detected in skin bruises left to decompose in air and water, for up to at least 15 days in the open air and one week in water.

Recurrent Cardioembolic Stroke Treated Successfully with Repeated Mechanical Thrombectomy within the Acute Index Stroke Period

“…The thrombus at the second stroke in our case seemed to be a poor RBC-rich thrombus based on H&E staining, but a large RBC component remained on antiglycophorin-A staining which is known to detect the sialoglycoprotein of RBC membranes for up to 6 days in water and 15 days in air. 11 These findings suggest that the size of the RBC component in the intracardiac thrombi did not alter during maturation of the thrombus in the heart. Furthermore, the first thrombus was considered a fresh one because it exhibited intact RBCs and granulocytes, while the second thrombus exhibited RBCs with an abnormal shape and granulocyte apoptosis, which suggests an older thrombus.…”

“…Although there are no data regarding direct comparicomparisons between antiglycophorin-A staining and H&E staining in terms of thrombus age, our findings were suggestive of the aging process of cardiac thrombus. 10 11 …”

Forensic Application of Monoclonal Anti-Human Glycophorin A Antibody in Samples from Decomposed Bodies to Establish Vitality of the Injuries. A Preliminary Experimental Study

“…In addition, the presented results are in line with Taborelli at al. 's [5] research article on glycophorin A, as a good marker to orient diagnosis of vitality thanks to the high resistance at different PMI. Moreover, this study showed that this immunohistochemical investigation is able to keep its diagnostic reliability in different types of tissue.…”

“…In a recent study, it was described the usability for forensic purposes of the immunochemical staining in corpses with different conservation status [ 30 ], as confirmed by this study. In addition, the presented results are in line with Taborelli at al.’s [ 5 ] research article on glycophorin A, as a good marker to orient diagnosis of vitality thanks to the high resistance at different PMI. Moreover, this study showed that this immunohistochemical investigation is able to keep its diagnostic reliability in different types of tissue.…”

“…In the forensic field, the anti-human glycophorin A (GPA) monoclonal antibodies are commonly used in human blood detection, identifying red blood cell membrane antigen [ 4 ]. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies anti-GPA can be used in immunohistochemical staining at post-mortem examination to point out RBC presence in tissues [ 5 ]. Thus, if in non-putrefied corpses, the macroscopic evidence of hemorrhagic tissue infiltration is commonly considered a macroscopic sign of the viability of a lesion, research using anti-GPA antibodies could allow the differential diagnosis between ante-mortem and post-mortem lesions.…”