Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
Published on: May 18, 2022
COVID-19: Lessons in laboratory medicine, pathology, and autopsy
Khaldoon Aljerian1, Ahmed S BaHammam2,3
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This review synthesizes guidelines on handling deceased COVID-19 patients and performing autopsies. It aims to inform clinicians and healthcare facilities about safe pathological investigation protocols for coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Anatomic Pathology
- Infectious Disease Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease.
- Existing literature primarily focuses on clinical aspects, diagnostics, and hospital preparedness.
- Pathological and laboratory issues, including autopsy procedures for COVID-19, remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current literature on COVID-19 related to anatomic pathology.
- To provide guidance on safe handling of dead bodies and autopsy procedures for COVID-19.
- To support the development of standardized protocols in healthcare facilities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of guidelines and reports on COVID-19 and anatomic pathology.
- Focused search on laboratory services, body handling, autopsy conduct, and postmortem investigations.
- Synthesis of relevant knowledge for clinical awareness and standard development.
Main Results:
- Identified a gap in published literature concerning postmortem investigations of COVID-19.
- Synthesized recommendations for safe handling of deceased individuals with COVID-19.
- Compiled information on precautions and safety measures for autopsies and pathological studies.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for standardized protocols for postmortem examination in COVID-19 cases.
- Clinicians require updated information on safety measures for handling deceased patients and conducting autopsies.
- Further research and guideline development are essential for safe anatomic pathology practices during the pandemic.
Abstract:
Because coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is relatively new, health-care organizations and researchers have been publishing guidelines and recommendations to help health-care providers proceed safely with various aspects of disease management and investigation. Most of the published papers have addressed clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, mitigation measures, and hospital preparedness. Pathological and laboratory issues, including autopsy procedures and the handling of dead bodies, have not yet been well characterized. We reviewed the recent literature for guidelines and reports related to COVID-19 and anatomic pathology, specifically laboratory services, the handling of dead bodies, the conduct of autopsies, and postmortem pathological investigations, to synthesize relevant knowledge to ensure that clinicians are aware of the most recent recommendations for precautions and safety measures, and to support the development of standards in health-care facilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture
Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is an integral part of sputum studies. It involves the staining of sputum, which permits...
01:29Key Techniques in Microbiology