The usefulness of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain typing by Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and DNA detection as the forensic evidence in child sexual abuse cases: a case series

Abstract

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Diagnosis of alleged child sexual abuse can be made from history in conjunction with physical examination, psychosocial evaluation, and laboratory investigations. Sexually transmitted infection associated with sexual abuse is found in 5 % of the victims, with Neisseria gonorrhoeae being the most common organism. Identification of sexually transmitted disease, particularly N. gonorrhoeae infection, can be useful for the diagnosis of sexual abuse and thus, the initiation of the child protection process. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a newer diagnostic assay with a higher sensitivity compared with conventional culture method. In addition, N. gonorrhoeae strain typing can also be used to identify the abuser. In this case series, we present the application of N. gonorrhoeae strain typing (PFGE technique) to identify the abuser, and the confirmation of gonococcal vaginitis by PCR technique.