Autopsy Room : A Potential Source of Infection at Work Place in Developing Countries

Forensic pathologists/Autopsy surgeons and the forensic medicine personnel assisting to conduct an autopsy who come in direct contact with the body fluids, soft tissues of the dead and skeletal remains in different stages of decomposition, are at a continuous risk of acquiring various kinds of infections including blood-borne viral and other bacterial infections. However, limited data are available regarding these occupational risks to the persons who are usually exposed to dead bodies in the autopsy rooms. With the existing and growing HIV epidemic and high seroprevalence of hepatitis virus, safety becomes an issue not only relevant to the team performing the autopsy, but also has direct implications regarding the protection of the environment. Prevention strategies including immunization, exposure avoidance by the use of universal precautions and proper infrastructure in the autopsy rooms can go a long way in preventing the occupational hazards of the autopsy rooms.