ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 September 2003
Page Count: 1

Author's Response

Abstract

We agree, it would be desirable to subject the postmortem tissues to an in situ PCR, a technique that needs to be established in more centers in the future. With regard to the time-dependent course of viral myocarditis, as studied in a mouse model, early virus-induced myocardial damage can take place already before histological signs of myocarditis defined by the Dallas criteria can be observed (1). These early phase dependent viral lesions can only be detected via electron microscopy, they also occur ahead of immunohistochemical signs of myocarditis (e.g., LCA, CD3, CD68). Therefore, not only in situ PCR but also electron microscopy can be helpful, especially to investigate the conduction system of the heart.

Keywords:
forensic science, in-situ PCR, parvovirus B 19

Paper ID: JFS2003136
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003136
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