Universal Precautions Provide Appropriate Protection during Autopsies of Patients with Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about the safety of laboratory personnel who handle tissue samples that harbor pathogens, including those performing autopsies. While pathologists have performed autopsies on infected decedents for centuries, universal precaution protocols for limiting exposure to pathogens were not developed until the 20th Century. This article reviews the history and effectiveness of universal precautions, with an emphasis on performing autopsies on COVID-19 decedents.

Latest trends in diagnosis of tuberculosis; A Review.

“…19 Inoculation at highly sophisticated biosafety labs is recommended due to increased risk of contamination and infection. 20 Moreover; slow generation time requires prolonged incubation for weeks. 21 After collection, sterile specimen must be inoculated on Lowenstein Jensen media that requires incubation for 6-8 weeks and if available, specialized liquid media BACTEC MICRO MGIT can turn out results within 21 days.…”

Mapping Biological Risks Related to Necropsy Activities: Old Concerns and Novel Issues for the Safety of Health Professionals

“…The present study aims to assess microorganisms health operators could come into contact with during necropsy activities, to evaluate whether current protections are suitable, to identify possible new sources of contact, and to point out possible preventive measures [14][15][16]. In addition, the study pursues the objective of searching for pathogens on samples taken from the corpse during autopsy; then, considering the current pandemic scenario, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the dissection room is assessed, among others.…”

Fire and fear: Rapid cremations in the Philippines amidst COVID-19

“…Save for hemorrhagic fevers and cholera, as well as improper handling of lungs and body fluids during autopsy without standard personal protective equipment (PPE), dead bodies are generally not infectious nor transmit disease. Although knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly evolving, the potential risk of virus transmission from the dead to the living is considered low, especially when cadavers are handled using standard PPE or when physical contact is minimized [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] ]. To date, there has been no documented case of viral transmission from a corpse anywhere in the world ( cf.…”