Journal Published Online: 01 July 1991
Volume 36, Issue 4

Postmortem Evaluation of Serum and Urine Neopterin Concentrations

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Cellular immune response is accompanied by the release of neopterin. Increased neopterin levels in urine and serum are observed in patients during viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and allograft rejections and certain malignant diseases. We investigated post-mortem neopterin concentrations in urine and serum samples taken from 32 corpses 3 to 69 h (mean 19.3 h) after death. Urine neopterin concentrations in corpses are similar to those of healthy live controls and are independent of the time after death. In contrast, serum neopterin concentrations are frequently greatly increased in corpses, and the levels are higher in sera collected more than 10 h after death in comparison with samples obtained earlier.

Neopterin measurement in urine and serum samples of corpses is feasible. It appears likely that urine neopterin concentrations could aid the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases in corpses.

Author Information

Ambach, E
Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Tributsch, W
Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Fuchs, D
Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Reibnegger, G
Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Henn, R
Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Wachter, H
Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Pages: 5
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Stock #: JFS13124J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13124J