Human immunodeficiency virus infection in cases presenting to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1991 Sep;12(3):200-3. doi: 10.1097/00000433-199109000-00005.

Abstract

Serum samples were available from 492 of 1,058 cadavers seen at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office between August 4 and December 15, 1989. These sera were tested for the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. The overall prevalence of HIV in the autopsy population was 2.24%. The following populations showed increased prevalence as compared to the total sampled population: blacks (3.60%, p less than 0.01), males (2.51%, n.s.), and homicide victims (3.74%, n.s.). Seroprevalence data from this study are compared with those from earlier studies of other related populations, with regard to overall prevalence and risk factor analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • Health Behavior
  • Homicide
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Philadelphia / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies