Presence of Contagious Bacterial Flora in Formalin-Fixed Cadavers: A Potential Health Hazard to Medical Professionals

Abstract

Cadaveric dissection is the most important learning tool in anatomy. Although many new modalities are coming up for learning anatomy, cadaveric dissection outstands all of these as it helps students to visualize the human body and remains the most realistic way of learning anatomy. The cadavers are preserved using formalin, a potent disinfectant. Even after embalming in 5-10% formalin, the cadaver might still be infectious while using it in the dissection hall (anatomy department). Numerous bacterial species and infectious pathogens might still be seen despite using fixative agents. Several disease-causing agents may remain viable. Earlier reports suggest that there are cases where students and the working staff got infected by HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and prion diseases.The main objective of this study is to determine if bacterial species could be recovered from cadavers that are formalin-fixed. Specific regions in the body such as the axilla, perineum, finger clefts, and oral and nasal cavities were chosen for microbiological examination to detect bacterial species. The presence of skin folds in these regions makes them potential sites for the growth of bacteria.Formalin-fixed cadavers can still act as regions for the growth of viable bacteria that can be pathogenic and affect the health of students and anatomists handling them. Proper care should be taken regarding this because students and anatomists working with these cadavers may get exposed to pathogenic organisms which may become harmful or sometimes life-threatening. Some precautions for proper dissemination of cadavers should be taken to provide a complete, safe, and healthy ambiance in the dissection hall.

The anatomist’s perspective today towards human body donation for procurement of cadavers for study of human anatomy

“…This finding therefore brings to the forefront the fact that in 53% of anatomy departments to which the participants belonged, the donated cadavers were not tested for HIV, in 60% for hepatitis B and C, and in 80% for tuberculosis. Though the fixatives are said to be effective in inactivation of infectious agents present in the cadavers, they may still pose an infection hazard to those handling the cadaver [33]. Infectious pathogens presenting particular risk to the persons dissecting the cadaver include HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis [33].…”

“…Though the fixatives are said to be effective in inactivation of infectious agents present in the cadavers, they may still pose an infection hazard to those handling the cadaver [33]. Infectious pathogens presenting particular risk to the persons dissecting the cadaver include HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis [33]. Thus, it is necessary to test all donated cadavers for presence of these common infectious agents.…”