Renal myoglobin in drug addicts: occurrence and significance in a postmortem study

In a 3-year period (1989-1991) a non-selected, consecutive series of 62 deaths in drug addicts was autopsied at the Forensic Institute in Odense. The kidney sections from these addicts were examined for the presence of renal myoglobin using immunohistochemical methods. A reference group consisting of a non-selected, non-consecutive series of 58 autopsied non-addicts was likewise investigated for the presence of renal myoglobin. No major differences were demonstrated between the two groups. The presence of renal myoglobin probably indicates a prolonged course of events prior to death (unconsciousness, immobilization, hypovolemia). In sufficient amounts, renal myoglobin may be of importance as a cause of death or a contributing factor to death in both drug addicts and non-addicts.