Ultraviolet fluorescent detection of elevated bilirubin in dried blood serum

Abstract

Increased levels of bilirubin in blood serum may result from numerous physical conditions including hepatitis, cirrhosis, enzyme deficiency, drug reactions, autoimmune disorders and physiological trauma. No presumptive test for high bilirubin levels in blood serum stains currently exists, which could prove useful in the assessment of crime scenes involving victims with one of the above disorders. Here, the use of ultraviolet 365 (UV 365) is described as a simple, nondestructive method for the detection of blood serum containing elevated levels of bilirubin.

Applications of Ultraviolet and Sub-ultraviolet Dermatoscopy in Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Dermatoses: A Systematic Review

“…Even though there are no reports on UFVD of eczema, in the authors’ experience, a predominant blue-to-yellowish/greenish excited fluorescence of the serum crusts (dots/clods) [ 21 , 34 ], along with darker diffuse dotted vessels, can be appreciated (Fig. 14 ).…”

“…UVFD has the potential to visualize relatively fresh erosions due to the presence of bilirubin in dried-out crust [ 21 ]. Thus, it could be of aid in confirming the presence of ulceration in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (e.g., indicating the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in flat ulcerated pigmented skin lesions, as in the authors’ experience, unlike the further, thin melanomas that rarely develop ulcerations).…”

“…This fluorescence of the dried-out serum is associated with excessive amounts of bilirubin, whereas yellowish/greenish tint is noted with higher concentrations and higher rate of unconjugated bilirubin. Notably, the yellowish tint disappears with sun exposure, but not with indoor lighting [ 21 ].

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“…S20). This specifically applies to porphyrin- and bilirubin-related excited fluorescence, yet may be potentially true also for other fluorophores [ 21 ].…”