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Autopsy in suspected COVID-19 cases
Brian Hanley1, Sebastian B Lucas2, Esther Youd3
1Department of Cellular Pathology, Imperial College London NHS Trust, London, UK brian.hanley1@nhs.net.
Insights
This article summarizes guidelines for performing autopsies on deaths related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (COVID-19). It details safety, pathological findings, and diagnostic techniques for COVID-19 autopsies.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has increased COVID-19 related deaths.
- Autopsies are crucial for understanding disease pathology and confirming cause of death.
- Specific guidelines are needed for safe and effective autopsy practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize and interpret the Royal College of Pathologists' briefing on autopsy practices for COVID-19.
- To provide guidance on conducting autopsies for suspected SARS-CoV-2 cases.
- To outline diagnostic techniques and clinicopathological correlations for COVID-19 deaths.
Main Methods:
- Review of the Royal College of Pathologists' briefing on COVID-19 autopsy practice.
- Description of SARS-CoV-2 as a hazard group 3 organism.
- Summary of current knowledge on pathological and autopsy findings in COVID-19.
- Outline of recommended autopsy procedures and diagnostic techniques.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 is classified as a hazard group 3 organism, requiring specific safety precautions.
- Key pathological findings in COVID-19 autopsies include lung inflammation and damage.
- Recommended techniques involve careful sample collection for viral detection and histological examination.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to safety guidelines is paramount during COVID-19 autopsies.
- Autopsy findings contribute significantly to understanding COVID-19's pathology.
- Accurate diagnosis and reporting are essential for public health surveillance.
Abstract:
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) outbreak in Wuhan, China has now spread to many countries across the world including the UK with an increasing death toll. This will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related deaths at autopsy. The Royal College of Pathologists has responded to this concern with the release of a briefing on autopsy practice relating to COVID-19. The following article is a summary and interpretation of these guidelines. It includes a description of hazard group 3 organisms, the category to which SARS-CoV-2 has been assigned, a brief description of what is currently known about the pathological and autopsy findings in COVID-19, a summary of the recommendations for conducting autopsies in suspected COVID-19 cases and the techniques for making the diagnosis at autopsy. It concludes by considering the clinicopathological correlation and notification of such cases.
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