Importance of microbiology in autopsy procedure

Abstract

The importance of bacterial cultures in autopsy has been controversial since Filippo Pacini and Robert Koch's early investigation into the etiology of cholera. Death-war and / or post-mortem invasion by the patient's native flora poses a problem with respect to post-mortem intervals, selection of anatomical location of cultures containing blood, CSF, and number of specimens required to be bought and collected in Microbial Laboratory for processing. Additionally, importance of postmortem virus research is significant. An increasingly important aspect of occupational safety is involved in handling of patient samples by laboratory staff.  During the AIDS epidemic, regulatory bodies were urged to reconsider the importance of postmortem microbiological tests. This editorial is used to determine the exact cause of death without sacrificing the logistical and human resources of the Institute of Microbiology Practical sampling guidelines. The American University of Pathologists (CAP) are known to have developed a general checklist item for performing autopsy, but there are no specific guidelines, recommendations, or checklist items to address performance criteria for postmortem microbial culture studies. This review provides a brief historical perspective on autopsy microbiology, including a discussion of concerns about the postmortem spread of microorganisms, followed by a description of how to sample.