DNA-based detection of ethanol-producing microorganisms in postmortem blood and tissues by polymerase chain reaction

Vu, N.T., Chaturvedi, A.K., Canfield, D.V., Soper, J.W., Kupfer, D.M., and Roe, B.A.

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine - Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

关键词: Polymerase Chain Reaction;    PCR;    DNA Analysis;    DNA Primers;    Oligonucleotides;    Postmortem Alcohol;    Ethanol;    Putrefaction;    Microorganisms;    Fermentative Microorganisms;    Candida Albicans;    Proteus Vulgaris;    Escherichia Coli;   

RP-ID  :  DOT/FAA/AM-00/16

美国|英语

来源: Federal Aviation Administration

【 摘 要 】

Forensic investigation of fatal aircraft accidents usually includes the analysis of biological samples for ethanol to establish if alcohol intoxication is a factor in the accidents. The quantitative aspects of ethanol are often complicated by postmortem putrefactive changes, leading to microbial fermentation-mediated production of alcohol and its subsequent redistribution. Without establishing the ethanol origin (antemortem consumption or postmortem production), a precise interpretation of the alcohol analytical results remains a challenge. Therefore, a DNA-based assay was developed using the polymerase chain reaction and microbial DNA primers designed for identifying 3 commonly encountered ethanol-producing microorganisms�Candida albicans, Proteus vulgaris, and Escherichia coli.