Microorganisms Colonizing the Cadavers: The Need of Infection Control Protocols During Dissection

Abstract

Introduction: Microorganisms can colonize the surfaces of cadavers and may pose health hazards to the students and the staff handling them. The objective of the study was to study the spectrum of bacteria and fungi colonizing the surfaces of cadavers and to determine the need to follow infection control protocols during their handling. Materials and methods: A total of 100 swabs were collected from superficial and deep surfaces of the cadavers and its surroundings. The swabs were cultured on blood agar and Mac Conkey’s agar plates for isolation of bacterial species and Sabourauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) slants for isolation of fungal species. Identification of the bacterial and fungal isolates was done using standard bacteriological and mycological methods respectively. Results: Overall culture positivity rate was 78%. There was predominance of isolation of bacterial species (50%). Escherichia coli and Coagulase negative Staphylococci [CoNS] (23.07 % each) were the predominant bacteria isolated and Aspergillus species (37.50%) was the predominant fungus isolated from human cadavers. Conclusions: Various bacteria and fungi colonized the surface of cadavers. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need for practicing “Standard infection control protocols” in the dissection hall while handling the cadavers.