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- Title
Bacteriological investigation—significance of time lapse after death.
- Authors
Lobmaier, I. V. k.; Vege, Å.; Gaustad, P.; Rognum, T. O.
- Abstract
In cases of sudden unexpected death in infants and children (SUDI), microbiological investigation has been an important part of the autopsy protocol at the University of Oslo for the last 15 years. The purpose of this study was to compare the microbiological findings in samples taken at hospital admittance shortly after death and at autopsy. Blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected both at the hospital and at autopsy; organ samples were additionally collected at autopsy. Hospital samples were collected at a median of 4.5 h (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.25–5) and autopsy samples at a median of 24.25 h (95% CI 22–25.5) after death. The proportion of positive cultures was stable over time; the post mortal time had no influence on bacterial growth. As long as the autopsy is performed within 48 h after death, prior microbiological examination is unnecessary. Blood culture, CSF and lung specimens are the best predictors in our study.
- Subjects
SUDDEN death in children; MICROBIAL growth; BACTERIOLOGICAL laboratories; BLOOD coagulation; CEREBROSPINAL fluid; AUTOPSY; CAUSES of death
- Publication
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2009, Vol 28, Issue 10, p1191
- ISSN
0934-9723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10096-009-0762-0