ISSN : 0975-5276
EISSN : 0975-9174
K.J. PATEL1, S.T. SONI2*, D.M. KINARIWALA3, N. NASKAR4, A.J. SORIA5, T.S. HOON6, M.D. JETHVA7
1Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
2Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
3Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
4Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
5Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
6Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
7Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
* Corresponding Author : drsumeetasoni@gmail.com
Received : 02-09-2021 Accepted : 26-09-2021 Published : 30-09-2021
Volume : 13 Issue : 4 Pages : 1966 - 1968
Int J Microbiol Res 13.4 (2021):1966-1968
Keywords : COVID-19, Autopsy, Superinfections
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed
Background: In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2, a novel Coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. In a short span of time, this virus spread across the globe infecting millions, and causing Coronavirus disease (COVID) which ranged from minimal symptoms to severe pneumonia. Superinfection is a usual complication viral infection; thus, post-mortem examination of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases are valuable tool for studying the microbiological profile of the same. Methods: Between November 2020 and April 2021, serial post-mortem examinations were conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, B.J.Medical College, Ahmedabad. The autopsies were conducted in patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection who died at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad. Post-mortem lung swabs from 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases were sent to the Bacteriology laboratory of B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad. We are reporting the identification of microorganisms isolated from the aforementioned specimens. The identification was carried out by routine microbiological methods namely, gram stain, culture and biochemical reactions. Results: Of the 30 samples, 20 were from males and 10 from females with a mean age of 65 years. 25 out of the 30 cases had one or more co-morbidities. The CRP levels were found to be elevated in 21 cases. Lymphopenia was seen in 19 of the cases. Microorganisms were isolated from all specimen and E. coli (56.7%) was found to be the most common isolate. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the need for continuous research with regard to epidemiology, clinical spectrum and microbiological profile of superinfections, that may enable better patient management
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