TY  - JOUR
A1  - Plenzig, Stefanie
A1  - Holz, Franziska
A1  - Bojkova, Denisa
A1  - Kettner, Mattias
A1  - Cinatl, Jindrich
A1  - Verhoff, Marcel A.
A1  - Birngruber, Christoph Gerhard
A1  - Ciesek, Sandra
A1  - Rabenau, Holger
T1  - Detection and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in exhumated corpses
T2  - International journal of legal medicine
N2  - Postmortem detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after the exhumation of a corpse can become important, e.g. in the case of subsequent medical malpractice allegations. To date, data on possible detection periods [e.g. by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)] or on the potential infectivity of the virus after an exhumation are rare. In the present study, these parameters were examined in two cases with a time span of approximately 4 months between day of death and exhumation. Using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on swabs of both lungs and the oropharynx detection was possible with cycle threshold (Ct) values of about 30 despite signs of beginning decay. RT-PCR testing of perioral and perinasal swabs and swabs collected from the inside of the body bag, taken to estimate the risk of infection of those involved in the exhumation, was negative. Cell culture-based infectivity testing was negative for both, lung and oropharyngeal swabs. In one case, RT-PCR testing at the day of death of an oropharyngeal swab showed almost identical Ct values as postmortem testing of an oropharyngeal swab, impressively demonstrating the stability of viral RNA in the intact corpse. However, favorable climatic conditions in the grave have to be taken into account, as it was wintertime with constant low temperatures. Nevertheless, it was possible to demonstrate successful postmortem detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection following exhumation even after months in an earth grave.
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - Autopsy
KW  - RT-PCR-detection
KW  - Cell culture
Y1  - 2021
UR  - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/74607
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-746070
SN  - 1437-1596
N1  - Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
VL  - 135
IS  - 6
SP  - 2531
EP  - 2536
PB  - Springer ; HeinOnline
CY  - Berlin ; Heidelberg ; Getzville, NY
ER  -