ABAcard P30
Definition
A lateral-flow immunochromatographic strip manufactured by Abacus Diagnostics and validated by the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) for forensic semen identification. Detection threshold: 4 ng/mL PSA in aqueous extract.
- Manufacturer
- Abacus Diagnostics
- Format
- Lateral-flow immunochromatographic strip
- Target
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
- Detection threshold
- 4 ng/mL PSA in aqueous extract
- Validated by
- SWGDAM for forensic semen identification
Common questions
Does a positive ABAcard p30 result confirm semen is present?+
It is a confirmatory test for PSA, a protein highly specific to seminal fluid, but PSA has been detected at low levels in a small number of other body fluids in rare cases, so laboratories still interpret the result alongside case context rather than in total isolation.
Why is PSA testing used instead of, or alongside, acid phosphatase testing for semen?+
Acid phosphatase activity is a presumptive screening test that can give false positives from other sources, while PSA detection with the ABAcard is more specific to seminal fluid, so laboratories commonly use acid phosphatase to screen and the ABAcard to confirm.
Can the ABAcard p30 detect semen from a vasectomised individual?+
Yes, because PSA is produced by the prostate gland rather than the testes, a vasectomy does not remove PSA from seminal fluid, so the test remains valid for semen identification regardless of vasectomy status.
Related terms
- Azoospermia
- The absence of spermatozoa from ejaculated semen, resulting from obstructive causes (vasectomy, ductal blockage) or non-obstructive causes (testicular failure). Azoospermic semen contains...
- Confirmatory Test
- A test with sufficient specificity to establish the identity of a biological fluid for reporting purposes. Examples include Takayama and Teichmann crystal...
- Kastle-Meyer (KM) Test
- Phenolphthalein-based colorimetric presumptive blood test relying on haem peroxidase activity. Positive result: pink colour within 2-5 seconds of hydrogen peroxide addition.
- Lateral-Flow Immunochromatographic Assay
- A rapid, single-use immunoassay format in which sample extract migrates along a nitrocellulose membrane past a detection zone loaded with antigen-specific antibody...
- Luminol
- A chemiluminescent reagent (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione) that produces blue-white light on contact with haemoglobin-derived iron. Detects blood diluted to 1:10,000,000 or more. Used as...
- mRNA Profiling
- Detection of messenger RNA transcripts specific to particular tissues or body fluids. Endometrial-specific transcripts (LEFTY2, MMP-10 mRNA, others) can distinguish menstrual blood...
- Presumptive Test
- A fast, low-cost, class-specific screen used to triage a caseload before instrumental work begins. Examples are Marquis reagent for opioids and amphetamines,...
- PSA / P30
- Prostate-specific antigen, a kallikrein-family serine protease secreted by prostatic epithelium. Present in seminal plasma at 0.5 to 2 mg/mL. The standard confirmatory...
- RSID-Saliva
- Rapid Stain Identification of Saliva. An immunochromatographic lateral-flow assay using monoclonal antibodies specific to human salivary amylase. More specific than Phadebas, with...
- RSID Strips (Independent Forensics)
- Lateral-flow immunochromatographic strips for confirmatory identification of blood (glycophorin A), semen (semenogelin I), saliva (salivary amylase), urine (urea transporter UT-A), vaginal fluid...
- Salivary Alpha-Amylase
- An enzyme (EC 3.2.1.1) secreted by the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Digests starch and is present in saliva at concentrations of...
Explained in these topics
- Body-Fluid Identification: Presumptive and Confirmatory TestsLateral-flow immunochromatographic strip detecting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in seminal stains. Used as a confirmatory test for semen; detects PSA at con...
- Immunological Identification of Semen and Saliva