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- Title
Minimally Invasive Autopsy Practice in COVID-19 Cases: Biosafety and Findings †.
- Authors
Rakislova, Natalia; Marimon, Lorena; Ismail, Mamudo R.; Carrilho, Carla; Fernandes, Fabiola; Ferrando, Melania; Castillo, Paola; Rodrigo-Calvo, Maria Teresa; Guerrero, José; Ortiz, Estrella; Muñoz-Beatove, Abel; Martinez, Miguel J.; Hurtado, Juan Carlos; Navarro, Mireia; Bassat, Quique; Maixenchs, Maria; Delgado, Vima; Wallong, Edwin; Aceituno, Anna; Kim, Jean
- Abstract
Postmortem studies are crucial for providing insight into emergent diseases. However, a complete autopsy is frequently not feasible in highly transmissible diseases due to biohazard challenges. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) is a needle-based approach aimed at collecting samples of key organs without opening the body, which may be a valid alternative in these cases. We aimed to: (a) provide biosafety guidelines for conducting MIAs in COVID-19 cases, (b) compare the performance of MIA versus complete autopsy, and (c) evaluate the safety of the procedure. Between October and December 2020, MIAs were conducted in six deceased patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, in a basic autopsy room, with reinforced personal protective equipment. Samples from the lungs and key organs were successfully obtained in all cases. A complete autopsy was performed on the same body immediately after the MIA. The diagnoses of the MIA matched those of the complete autopsy. In four patients, COVID-19 was the main cause of death, being responsible for the different stages of diffuse alveolar damage. No COVID-19 infection was detected in the personnel performing the MIAs or complete autopsies. In conclusion, MIA might be a feasible, adequate and safe alternative for cause of death investigation in COVID-19 cases.
- Subjects
COVID-19 pandemic; CAUSES of death; AUTOPSY; COVID-19; BIOSAFETY; PERSONAL protective equipment
- Publication
Pathogens, 2021, Vol 10, Issue 4, p412
- ISSN
2076-0817
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/pathogens10040412