DETECTION OF HIV, HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C MARKERS IN DISCARDED SYRINGES AND BLOODSTAINS

Puncture injuries from discarded syringes continue to increase and tes ting these syringes for viral markers of HIV, HBV and HCV infection is now frequently requested. Workers in forensic medicine also regularly deal with potentially infected material. A simulation study was carri ed out. Syringes (with attached needles) and cotton gauze were contami nated with HIV, HBV and HCV infected blood or serum and tested at inte rvals over five weeks. Sensitive ELISA techniques, giving a result wit hin three hours, were used to detect viral antibodies (HIV, HCV) or an tigens (HBV). Blood residues inside the syringes and on the gauze gave positive results for viral markers throughout the period of study; th e needle-tips gave intermittently positive reactions. It was concluded that standard ELISAs for detecting markers of HIV, HBV and HCV could provide valuable guidance on potential infection hazards of material b eing examined in a forensic situation.