EVALUATION OF MHS-5 IN DETECTING SEMINAL FLUID IN VAGINAL SWABS

Vaginal swabs taken in 211 cases of alleged sexual assault were examin ed for seminal vesicle-specific antigen (SVSA) using an MHS-5-ELISA (S EMA kit), The results were compared with those obtained by sperm detec tion by means of light microscopy and the acid phosphatase reaction (A CP), using Phosphatesmo-KM papers, Especially in fresher samples (dura tion of storage between 10 days and 2 1/2 months), a high degree of co rrelation was observed between the results of light microscopic and MH S-5 methods. Several cases with positive MHS-5 showed concurrent posit ive ACP reactions, even though no spermatozoa had been seen microscopi cally. The results are displayed in the light of time elapsed between the alleged assault and examination of the swabs, The longest time spa n after the alleged assault in which MHS-5 yielded a positive result w as 47 h; in this case spermatozoa were also seen microscopically. SVSA is not totally stable in vaginal swabs stored over long (9 months to 5 1/2 years) periods of time. Furthermore, results in eight penile swa bs are reported, MHS-5 is a useful tool for medico-forensic semen dete ction in vaginal swabs, probably even in cases of azoospermia or asper mia.