From Johns Hopkins: The Value of Postmortem Microbiology Cultures

J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Jan 8. [Epub ahead of print]

The Value of Postmortem Microbiology Cultures.

Riedel S.

Author information

• The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology, Baltimore, Maryland.

Abstract

Since the inception of evidence-based scientific concepts in medicine in the 19th century, the utility of postmortem microbiologic examinations has been a topic of controversy. For every study describing a lack of correlation between antemortem clinical and laboratory findings and postmortem culture results, there is equal evidence by other studies that indicates at least some limited utility in select cases. While the contributions of autopsies and postmortem microbiologic examinations in the discovery of novel infectious microorganisms are generally appreciated by the medical and scientific societies, the problems of implementing routine procedures in daily autopsy practice clearly relate to the lack of consensus on their broader utility as well as to a lack of regulatory guidelines. This review will provide an overview of the literature-based evidence regarding the utility of postmortem microbiologic examinations together with some practical aspects and guidelines for those confronted with the questions of whether to allow or discourage the use of bacteriologic cultures obtained during autopsies.