Journal Published Online: 01 May 2001
Volume 46, Issue 3

Immunohistochemical Contribution to the Study of Morphine Metabolism in Calliphoridae Larvae and Implications in Forensic Entomotoxicology

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Morphine was detected by immunohistochemistry on sections of third stage larvae of Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera, Calliphoridae) reared on minced beef meat previously treated with morphine hydrochloride. The detection was performed with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex method. Positive specimens showed specific staining of the haemolymph and a more intense immunoreaction in an area located at the limit between exocuticle and endocuticle. These results constitute an evidence of morphine accumulation inside the cuticle of Diptera larvae during their development. During the pupariation, the larval cuticle is transformed into the sclerotized puparium. This study consequently points out the possibilities of analyzing empty pupariae when suitable tissues or living necrophagous insects are absent.

Author Information

Bourel, B
Laboratoire Environment et Santé, Faculté Libre des Sciences et Faculté Libre de Médecine, Lille Cedex, France Institut de Médecine Légale et Sociale, Faculté de Médecine, Place Théo Varlet, Lille, France
Fleurisse, L
Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologique, Faculté Libre de Médecine, Hôpital Saint-Vincent, Boulevard de Belfort, Lille, France
Hédouin, V
Institut de Médecine Légale et Sociale, Faculté de Médecine, Place Théo Varlet, Lille, France
Cailliez, J-C
Laboratoire Environment et Santé, Faculté Libre des Sciences et Faculté Libre de Médecine, Lille Cedex, France
Creusy, C
Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologique, Faculté Libre de Médecine, Hôpital Saint-Vincent, Boulevard de Belfort, Lille, France
Gosset, D
Institut de Médecine Légale et Sociale, Faculté de Médecine, Place Théo Varlet, Lille, France
Lee Goff, ML
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Pages: 4
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Stock #: JFS15009J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15009J