Studies of the application of the combination absorption elution, two dimensional absorption-inhibition (AE-2DAI) procedure for bone ABH antigen typing are presented for bone specimens aged under various environmental conditions.
Bone specimens that had been aged up to 9 months under dry and humid conditions at ambient temperatures of 37 degrees Centigrade and 56 degrees Centigrade, at ambient temperature in dry and wet soil, and buried in soil outdoors were grouped according to separate absorption elution (AE) and absorption inhibition (2DAI) testing as well as the AE-2DAI. Conclusive results were obtained with 69 percent of the specimens using the AE-2AI procedure, 74 percent of specimens with the 2DAI, and 92 percent of specimens with the AE. No direct correlations were found between the properties of microbial contamination and specific changes in ABH antigenic composition of aging bone tissue specimens. Results of IGH antigen determination and IgG quantitation in human bone tissues extracts indicated the IgG levels were too low for successful routine Gm antigen determination. These data indicate that conclusive results are almost always correct. However caution should be exercised in the interpretation of results of ABH typing of bone tissue aged underground or in moist soil conditions. 6 figures, 4 tables, and 66 references (Author abstract modified)