Immunocytochemical typing of ABO blood groups in vaginal swabs partly contaminated with semen.
ABH typing by immunocytochemical method has been carried out on 163 selected vaginal swabs. 127 cases (78%) were determined correctly, 11 cases (7%) incorrectly and 25 cases (15%) could not be classified. Often, not all of the vaginal cells showed the expected positive staining, which was not counted as a false result. The incorrect results were not dependent on the secretor status, but 37% of the non-secretor cases could not be classified immunocytochemically, as compared with 12% of the secretors. In a second series, 61 vaginal swabs, dried on microscope slides, have been covered with semen from an A1 B secretor. Absorption of heterologous antigens by the vaginal epithelia could be demonstrated only after extremely long incubation with semen and extremely long incubation with the anti-A or anti-B antibodies. From the 163 "native" swabs, 17 gave a positive reaction with the acid phosphatase test, but only one false ABH result. A possible influence of bacteria upon the results is discussed. We believe that in practice, no faults in immunocytochemical ABH typing have to be expected, due to absorption of heterologous antigens.
Scheithauer
R
R
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Albert-Ludwig-Universität Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hofmann
R
R
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile / Q000235:genetics; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012661:Semen; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile