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Use of an Automated Nested Multiplex Respiratory Pathogen PCR Panel Postmortem in the Pediatric Forensic Setting
Author(s) -
Baker Tiffany,
Schandl Cynthia,
Presnell Susan Erin,
Madory James,
Nolte Frederick S.,
Batalis Nicholas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13415
Subject(s) - rhinovirus , medicine , multiplex polymerase chain reaction , forensic science , multiplex , respiratory system , enterovirus , polymerase chain reaction , cause of death , population , virology , biology , bioinformatics , virus , disease , veterinary medicine , genetics , environmental health , gene
Respiratory pathogens have been detected in forensic investigations using multiple techniques; however, no study has examined the use of automated, nested, multiplex polymerase chain reaction ( ANM ‐ PCR ), commonly used in living patients, in the forensic setting. This retrospective study assessed the utility of ANM ‐ PCR in detecting respiratory pathogens in the pediatric forensic setting. Respiratory samples from 35 cases were tested for up to 20 respiratory pathogens. 51.4% of these cases yielded a positive ANM ‐ PCR result, 20% of which were considered the cause of or contributory to death. The most commonly detected pathogens were rhinovirus/enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, and these were the only pathogens determined to play a significant role in cause of death. The sampled sites and postmortem intervals tested did not affect the likelihood of a positive or negative test. ANM ‐ PCR panels are effective, affordable, and rapid ancillary tools in evaluating cause of death in the forensic pediatric population.