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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Immunostaining-Based Detection of Dynamic Alterations in Red Blood Cell Proteins
Published on: March 17, 2023
Immunohistochemical detection of hemoglobin in frost erythema
E E Türk1, J P Sperhake, B Madea
1Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Hamburg, Butenfeld 34, 22529 Hamburg, Germany. tuerk@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Reddish discoloration of exposed skin areas, called frost erythema, is an important criterion for the diagnosis of fatal hypothermia. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry in a prospective trial to show that on the molecular level, the correlate of frost erythema is hemoglobin without hemorrhage. Furthermore, we compared routine histological and immunohistochemical features of frost erythema, hematoma and livor mortis and established some criteria for their histological differentiation.
Reddish discoloration of exposed skin areas, called frost erythema, is an important criterion for the diagnosis of fatal hypothermia. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry in a prospective trial to show that on the molecular level, the correlate of frost erythema is hemoglobin without hemorrhage. Furthermore, we compared routine histological and immunohistochemical features of frost erythema, hematoma and livor mortis and established some criteria for their histological differentiation.
