Automated, nested, multiplex PCR detected respiratory pathogens in 51.4% of pediatric forensic cases, with 20% of positive results considered contributory to or the cause of death.
Observational (n=35)
Does an automated nested multiplex PCR panel effectively detect respiratory pathogens in postmortem pediatric forensic cases?
ANM-PCR panels are effective and rapid ancillary tools for detecting respiratory pathogens to help evaluate the cause of death in the pediatric forensic population.
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.
Baker et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Pediatric forensic cases (n=35). Automated, nested, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (ANM-PCR) was evaluated on Positive ANM-PCR result for respiratory pathogens. Automated, nested, multiplex PCR detected respiratory pathogens in 51.4% of pediatric forensic cases, with 20% of positive results considered contributory to or the cause of death.