tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Apr 24. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000567. [Epub ahead of print]
COVID-19: POSTMORTEM DIAGNOSTIC AND BIOSAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.
Lacy JM[SUP]1[/SUP], Brooks EG, Akers J, Armstrong D, Decker L, Gonzalez A, Humphrey W, Mayer R, Miller M, Perez C, Arango JAR, Sathyavagiswaran L, Stroh W, Utley S.
Author information
Abstract
As a result of the 2019 novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) global spread, medical examiner/coroner offices will inevitably encounter increased numbers of COVID-19-infected decedents at autopsy. While in some cases a history of fever and/or respiratory distress (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) may suggest the diagnosis, epidemiologic studies indicate that the majority of individuals infected with COVID-19 develop mild to no symptoms. Those dying with-but not of-COVID-19 may still be infectious, however. While multiple guidelines have been issued regarding autopsy protocol in cases of suspected COVID-19 deaths, there is some variability in the recommendations. Additionally, limited recommendations to date have been issued regarding scene investigative protocol, and there are a paucity of publications characterizing COVID-19 postmortem gross and histologic findings. A case of sudden unexpected death due to COVID-19 is presented as a means of illustrating common autopsy findings, as well as diagnostic and biosafety considerations. We also review and summarize the current COVID-19 literature in an effort to provide practical evidence-based biosafety guidance for ME/C offices encountering COVID-19 at autopsy.
PMID:32379077DOI:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000567
COVID-19: POSTMORTEM DIAGNOSTIC AND BIOSAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.
Lacy JM[SUP]1[/SUP], Brooks EG, Akers J, Armstrong D, Decker L, Gonzalez A, Humphrey W, Mayer R, Miller M, Perez C, Arango JAR, Sathyavagiswaran L, Stroh W, Utley S.
Author information
Abstract
As a result of the 2019 novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) global spread, medical examiner/coroner offices will inevitably encounter increased numbers of COVID-19-infected decedents at autopsy. While in some cases a history of fever and/or respiratory distress (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) may suggest the diagnosis, epidemiologic studies indicate that the majority of individuals infected with COVID-19 develop mild to no symptoms. Those dying with-but not of-COVID-19 may still be infectious, however. While multiple guidelines have been issued regarding autopsy protocol in cases of suspected COVID-19 deaths, there is some variability in the recommendations. Additionally, limited recommendations to date have been issued regarding scene investigative protocol, and there are a paucity of publications characterizing COVID-19 postmortem gross and histologic findings. A case of sudden unexpected death due to COVID-19 is presented as a means of illustrating common autopsy findings, as well as diagnostic and biosafety considerations. We also review and summarize the current COVID-19 literature in an effort to provide practical evidence-based biosafety guidance for ME/C offices encountering COVID-19 at autopsy.
PMID:32379077DOI:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000567