Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory for Autopsies of Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Principles, Practices, and Prospects

Abstract

Our experience suggests that BSL-3 laboratory operating principles should be among the special requirements for performing autopsies of contaminated bodies and that they can safeguard the clinicians and the environment involved in these procedures.

Assessment of the risk of infectious aerosols leaking to the environment from BSL-3 laboratory HEPA air filtration systems using model bacterial aerosols

“…Studies evaluating protection efficiencies of BSL-3 lab HEPA filtration system using biological aerosols are scarce, highlighting a significant gap in current knowledge. The HEPA filtration system of a specially designed BSL-3 laboratory for the autopsies of patients with SARS was evaluated using a physical particle simulant test (Li et al, 2005). Air filter sets were tested for their efficiency in protecting laboratory animals against potential airborne infections (Mrozek et al, 1994).…”

H5N1 infection of the respiratory tract and beyond: a molecular pathology study

“…The autopsies were done following conventional protocols and strict safety procedures. 13 Tissue samples from all major organs and tissues were taken and fi xed in 4% formalin. The brain of patient 1 was not available for investigation.…”

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

“…The mortuary must be adjacent to the buffer zone next to the contaminated (autopsy) room, and a downdraft table ventilation system with HEPA filtration must be employed. 122 Details are described in Ref. 122 and in Refs.…”