Postmortem microbiology sampling following death in hospital: an ESGFOR task force consensus statement

Area of Science:

• Forensic Microbiology
• Pathology
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Postmortem microbiology (PMM) is essential for identifying infection-related causes of death.
• The accuracy of PMM relies heavily on meticulous autopsy procedures and sample handling.
• Interpreting PMM requires integrating clinical history, gross pathology, and tissue histology.

Framework:

• This consensus statement outlines best practices for PMM in hospital deaths.
• It emphasizes the integration of clinical, macroscopic, and histological data for result interpretation.

Implementation:

• Key considerations include careful autopsy planning and appropriate tissue sampling.
• Minimizing postmortem bacterial translocation and preventing sample contamination are critical.

Implications:

• Effective PMM enhances the accuracy of death certification in infectious cases.
• Standardized PMM protocols improve diagnostic yield and patient safety in hospitals.