Substantial decrease in SARS-CoV-2 RNA after fixation of cadavers intended for anatomical dissection.

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional cadaver donation programs for anatomical studies.
• Concerns arose regarding the safety of using bodies from individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 in anatomy departments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from cadavers to anatomy personnel.
• To determine the stability and removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cadavers after standard fixation and preservation processes.

Main Methods:

• SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence was evaluated in post-mortem tissues using real-time PCR.
• In vitro experiments exposed viral RNA to fixation agents (phenol, formaldehyde, ethanol, glycerol) and post-fixation solutions.
• Standard anatomical fixation protocols were applied to cadavers.

Main Results:

• Substantial removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed in post-mortem tissues after fixation with phenol, formaldehyde, glycerol, and ethanol, followed by ethanol baths.
• Formaldehyde demonstrated significant inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in vitro, while phenol and ethanol showed minimal effects.
• The applied fixation protocols effectively reduced viral RNA presence in cadaver tissues.

Conclusions:

• Cadavers treated with the described fixation protocols do not pose a significant SARS-CoV-2 infection risk.
• These cadavers are suitable for routine anatomical dissections and educational purposes.
• The study supports the continuation of body donation programs during pandemics with appropriate safety measures.