Utility and diagnostic value of postmortem microbiology associated with histology for forensic purposes

Tambuzzi, Stefano; Maciocco, Francesca; Gentile, Guendalina; Boracchi, Michele; Chiara, Faraone; Andreola, Salvatore; Zoja, Riccardo

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111534

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…This microbial community plays a crucial role in the decomposition process, characterizing the microbial succession in and around the dead biomass [13]. Furthermore, various authors have differentiated between the microbial communities present within the internal organs of a deceased body (known as the thanatomicrobiome) and the microbial communities found on the skin, surface epithelia and external mucous membranes of the corpse (known as epinecrotic microbial communities) [14][15][16].…”

Section: Patterns Of Microbial Dynamics After Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Microbiology: When, Where and How

Nodari,

Arghittu,

Bailo

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Forensic microbiology is a relatively new discipline, born in part thanks to the development of advanced methodologies for the detection, identification and characterization of microorganisms, and also in relation to the growing impact of infectious diseases of iatrogenic origin. Indeed, the increased application of medical practices, such as transplants, which require immunosuppressive treatments, and the growing demand for prosthetic installations, associated with an increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, have led to a rise in the number of infections of iatrogenic origin, which entails important medico-legal issues. On the other hand, the possibility of detecting minimal amounts of microorganisms, even in the form of residual traces (e.g., their nucleic acids), and of obtaining gene and genomic sequences at contained costs, has made it possible to ask new questions of whether cases of death or illness might have a microbiological origin, with the possibility of also tracing the origin of the microorganisms involved and reconstructing the chain of contagion. In addition to the more obvious applications, such as those mentioned above related to the origin of iatrogenic infections, or to possible cases of infections not properly diagnosed and treated, a less obvious application of forensic microbiology concerns its use in cases of violence or violent death, where the characterization of the microorganisms can contribute to the reconstruction of the case. Finally, paleomicrobiology, e.g., the reconstruction and characterization of microorganisms in historical or even archaeological remnants, can be considered as a sister discipline of forensic microbiology. In this article, we will review these different aspects and applications of forensic microbiology.

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Section: Patterns Of Microbial Dynamics After Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Microbiology: When, Where and How

Nodari,

Arghittu,

Bailo

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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“…Cattle arsenic toxicity symptoms range from gastrointestinal to nervous system symptoms ( 31 ), severe digestive tract inflammation, weight loss, severe gastrointestinal disease, unpredictable appetite, conjunctivitis, mucosal erythematous lesions, and decreased milk production ( 146 , 147 ). Kidney hyperemia and severe parasite infestation in the abomasum walls were both discovered by microscopic inspection ( 148 , 149 ). The affected cattle showed decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, decreased plasma nitrite and erythrocyte levels, and an increased rate of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and blood As levels in comparison to those raised in As-free areas ( 150 , 151 ).…”

Section: Heavy Metals: Their Toxicity Mechanism and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

Tahir

Alkheraije

2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Toxicity with heavy metals has proven to be a significant hazard with several health problems linked to it. Heavy metals bioaccumulate in living organisms, pollute the food chain, and possibly threaten the health of animals. Many industries, fertilizers, traffic, automobile, paint, groundwater, and animal feed are sources of contamination of heavy metals. Few metals, such as aluminum (Al), may be eliminated by the elimination processes, but other metals like lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Ca) accumulate in the body and food chain, leading to chronic toxicity in animals. Even if these metals have no biological purpose, their toxic effects are still present in some form that is damaging to the animal body and its appropriate functioning. Cadmium (Cd) and Pb have negative impacts on a number of physiological and biochemical processes when exposed to sub-lethal doses. The nephrotoxic effects of Pb, As, and Cd are well known, and high amounts of naturally occurring environmental metals as well as occupational populations with high exposures have an adverse relationship between kidney damage and toxic metal exposure. Metal toxicity is determined by the absorbed dosage, the route of exposure, and the duration of exposure, whether acute or chronic. This can lead to numerous disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress generated by free radical production. Heavy metals concentration can be decreased through various procedures including bioremediation, pyrolysis, phytoremediation, rhizofiltration, biochar, and thermal process. This review discusses few heavy metals, their toxicity mechanisms, and their health impacts on cattle with special emphasis on the kidneys.

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“…When death has been caused by an infection, or when such an event is suspected, postmortem microbiology (PMM) can be of great help in both clinical and forensic contexts, in spite of the continuous controversy surrounding this field of expertise [19,20]. Furthermore, unexpected findings may take place during the autopsy process, revealing unknown pathologies and changing the course of determining one's cause-of-death [21,22]. At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several interests and aims emerged regarding the postmortem detection of SARS-CoV-2, even though little was known as to which human samples would be more advisable for virus detection in corpses [23].…”

Section: Postmortem Detection Of Sars-cov-2 In Human Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though swabs tested positive, the authors considered that both refrigeration and non-antiviral therapy during hospitalization might have contributed to the persistence of the virus. In fact, PMM analyses are usually more efficiently implemented in properly refrigerated and well-preserved corpses [22]. Meanwhile, in Germany, 80 individuals (34 females and 46 males) who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ante-or postmortem were autopsied [25].…”

Section: Postmortem Detection Of Sars-cov-2 In Human Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Among Bodies: Portuguese Cemeterial Exhumations Three Years after a Pandemic

2023

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On 19 March 2020, a “state of emergency” was declared in Portugal due to the manifestation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with an exponential rate of infection and high mortality and morbidity rates. Since then, the state of emergency was declared a further fifteen times until 30 April 2021, during which a total of 16,974 deaths associated with COVID-19 were acknowledged in the country. Over the aforementioned period, guidelines were followed regarding the handling of suspected cases in autopsy rooms, mortuaries, and cemeteries. However, no procedures have been established regarding the handling of human remains during and after cemeterial exhumations. Furthermore, little is known about the virus survival and its spatial distribution in postmortem human tissues. Given that the minimum Portuguese legal period of inhumation is ending and cemeteries have been facing limited burial space and soon will start exhuming buried individuals, the authors believe it is important to reflect on the matter.

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Utility and diagnostic value of postmortem microbiology associated with histology for forensic purposes

Cited by 4 publications

References 44 publications

Forensic Microbiology: When, Where and How

Forensic Microbiology: When, Where and How

A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

Among Bodies: Portuguese Cemeterial Exhumations Three Years after a Pandemic

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