ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 3

Molecular Detection of JC Virus in Embalmed, Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Brain Tissue
Amaker, BH
Medical College of Virginia, Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, VA

Chandler, FW
Medical College of Georgia, GA

Huey, LO
Medical College of Georgia, GA

Colwell, RM
Medical College of Georgia, GA

(Received 12 February 1997; accepted 12 March 1997)

Abstract

Embalmed tissues are adequate for the detection of JC virus in lesions of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) by immunohistologic and molecular methods. JC virus was readily detected in embalmed brain tissue using immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two brains were removed from bodies that had been embalmed at least 24 h prior to autopsy. They were subsequently post fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 10–14 days before dissection and molecular studies weere performed. Though these techniques are not novel, their use in embalmed tissues is. Routine embalming should not eliminate these diagnostic procedures from consideration.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic pathology, autopsy, embalmed tissues, JC virus, brain, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction

Paper ID: JFS14278J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14278J
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