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Detection and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in exhumated corpses
- Source :
- International Journal of Legal Medicine
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Postmortem detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after the exhumation of a corpse can become important, e.g. in the case of subsequent medical malpractice allegations. To date, data on possible detection periods [e.g. by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)] or on the potential infectivity of the virus after an exhumation are rare. In the present study, these parameters were examined in two cases with a time span of approximately 4 months between day of death and exhumation. Using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on swabs of both lungs and the oropharynx detection was possible with cycle threshold (Ct) values of about 30 despite signs of beginning decay. RT-PCR testing of perioral and perinasal swabs and swabs collected from the inside of the body bag, taken to estimate the risk of infection of those involved in the exhumation, was negative. Cell culture-based infectivity testing was negative for both, lung and oropharyngeal swabs. In one case, RT-PCR testing at the day of death of an oropharyngeal swab showed almost identical Ct values as postmortem testing of an oropharyngeal swab, impressively demonstrating the stability of viral RNA in the intact corpse. However, favorable climatic conditions in the grave have to be taken into account, as it was wintertime with constant low temperatures. Nevertheless, it was possible to demonstrate successful postmortem detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection following exhumation even after months in an earth grave.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
030106 microbiology
Autopsy
Exhumation
Virus
Pathology and Forensic Medicine
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Cadaver
Medicine
Humans
Viral rna
030216 legal & forensic medicine
Infectivity
Aged, 80 and over
Cycle threshold
Lung
business.industry
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Virology
medicine.anatomical_structure
COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing
Original Article
RT-PCR-detection
Female
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Cell culture
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14371596 and 09379827
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Legal Medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0ffef960782f43b8cd474640afb61f88