TY - JOUR
T1 - Rate of shed of SARS COV-2 viral RNA from COVID-19 cadavers
AU - Sharma, Meenakshi
AU - Brijwal, Megha
AU - Chakraborty, Nabarun
AU - Choudhary, Aashish
AU - Kumar, Arbind
AU - Srivastav, Sharad
AU - Lalwani, Parin
AU - Agrawal, Richa
AU - Dev Soni, Kapil
AU - Madaan, Nirupam
AU - Malhotra, Rajesh
AU - Mathur, Purva
AU - Lalwani, Sanjeev
AU - Dar, Lalit
AU - Trikha, Anjan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Background: At what rate does the RNA of SARS CoV-2 shed from cadavers? Although, there have been numerous studies which have demonstrated the persistence of the virus on dead bodies, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the variation of viral RNA content in cadavers. This has led to a knowledge gap regarding the safe handling/management of COVID-19 decedents, posing a barrier in forensic investigations. Methods: In this study, we report the presence of RNA of SARS CoV-2 by real time RT-PCR, in nasopharyngeal swabs collected after death from two groups of bodies – one who died due to COVID-19 and the other who died due to other diagnoses. A prospective study on 199 corpses, who had tested positive for COVID-19 ante-mortem, was conducted at a tertiary care center. RNA testing was conducted at different time intervals (T1-T5). Results: 112(56.3%) died primarily due to COVID-19 and 87(43.7%) died due to other diagnoses. 144(72.4%) were male and 55(27.6%) were female. A total of 115 (57.8%) tested positive for COVID-19 after death at different time points. The mean age was 50.7 ± 18.9 years and the length of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 50 days with a mean of 9.2 ± 7.6 days. Realtime RT-PCR positivity of SARS CoV-2 RNA decreases with time. Conclusion: We observed that real time RT-PCR positivity, indicating viral RNA detection, decreases with time. Therefore, it is advisable to follow appropriate COVID-19 precautions to carry out scientific studies, medico-legal investigations and mortuary services on suspected/confirmed COVID-19 corpses.
AB - Background: At what rate does the RNA of SARS CoV-2 shed from cadavers? Although, there have been numerous studies which have demonstrated the persistence of the virus on dead bodies, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the variation of viral RNA content in cadavers. This has led to a knowledge gap regarding the safe handling/management of COVID-19 decedents, posing a barrier in forensic investigations. Methods: In this study, we report the presence of RNA of SARS CoV-2 by real time RT-PCR, in nasopharyngeal swabs collected after death from two groups of bodies – one who died due to COVID-19 and the other who died due to other diagnoses. A prospective study on 199 corpses, who had tested positive for COVID-19 ante-mortem, was conducted at a tertiary care center. RNA testing was conducted at different time intervals (T1-T5). Results: 112(56.3%) died primarily due to COVID-19 and 87(43.7%) died due to other diagnoses. 144(72.4%) were male and 55(27.6%) were female. A total of 115 (57.8%) tested positive for COVID-19 after death at different time points. The mean age was 50.7 ± 18.9 years and the length of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 50 days with a mean of 9.2 ± 7.6 days. Realtime RT-PCR positivity of SARS CoV-2 RNA decreases with time. Conclusion: We observed that real time RT-PCR positivity, indicating viral RNA detection, decreases with time. Therefore, it is advisable to follow appropriate COVID-19 precautions to carry out scientific studies, medico-legal investigations and mortuary services on suspected/confirmed COVID-19 corpses.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85142149526
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85142149526#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.11.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.11.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 36410269
AN - SCOPUS:85142149526
SN - 1876-0341
VL - 15
SP - 1486
EP - 1493
JO - Journal of Infection and Public Health
JF - Journal of Infection and Public Health
IS - 12
ER -
