Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process
Individuals naturally carry bacteria and other microbes as part of their natural flora, with some being opportunistic pathogens. Approximately 30% of the population is known to carry <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in their nasal cavity, an organism that causes infections ranging from soft...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/11/2180 |
| _version_ | 1797467180070076416 |
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| author | Benedict Uy Simon Swift Francesca Casu David Mahuika Maurice A. Curtis Deborah Prendergast |
| author_facet | Benedict Uy Simon Swift Francesca Casu David Mahuika Maurice A. Curtis Deborah Prendergast |
| author_sort | Benedict Uy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Individuals naturally carry bacteria and other microbes as part of their natural flora, with some being opportunistic pathogens. Approximately 30% of the population is known to carry <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in their nasal cavity, an organism that causes infections ranging from soft tissue abscesses to toxic shock syndrome. This problem is compounded by the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains such as Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA). Commensal bacteria present on cadavers pose a risk to those who handle the body. As a Medical School Anatomy laboratory that performs hands-on cadaveric dissection, we wanted to know whether the embalming process is sufficient to kill all commensal bacteria that pose a risk to staff and students. Even if these strains do not cause disease in these individuals, secondary transmission could occur to friends and family, who may be at higher risk of acquiring an infection. Embalming is assumed to eliminate all microbial contamination on the body. However, there are limited studies to confirm this. This study characterises the incidence of antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria in cadavers donated for medical teaching and research. We have screened for Methicillin-Resistant Organisms (MRO) and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. In this study group of cadavers, approximately 46% (16/35) carry an MRO, while 51% (18/35) carry an ESBL positive organism prior to embalming. By determining the organisms’ presence pre- and post-embalming, we can evaluate the embalming procedure’s effectiveness. Our results show embalming eliminates detectable microbes in about 51% (18/35) of the cadavers. MRO dropped by 75% (16 to 4 positive cadavers), while ESBL organisms went down by almost 95% (from 18 to 1 positive cadaver). There was a further decrease in the number of positive cadavers after storage at 4 °C to 6% (2/32). Thus, although the embalming process does not immediately sterilise all the cadavers, prolonged storage at 4 °C can further reduce the number of viable bacteria. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:49:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-72ce6cc5f1384f93bbb1ebaa1761a643 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:49:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-72ce6cc5f1384f93bbb1ebaa1761a6432023-11-24T05:57:02ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-11-011011218010.3390/microorganisms10112180Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming ProcessBenedict Uy0Simon Swift1Francesca Casu2David Mahuika3Maurice A. Curtis4Deborah Prendergast5School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandSchool of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandHealth, Safety and Wellbeing, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandDepartment of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandSchool of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandSchool of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New ZealandIndividuals naturally carry bacteria and other microbes as part of their natural flora, with some being opportunistic pathogens. Approximately 30% of the population is known to carry <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in their nasal cavity, an organism that causes infections ranging from soft tissue abscesses to toxic shock syndrome. This problem is compounded by the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains such as Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA). Commensal bacteria present on cadavers pose a risk to those who handle the body. As a Medical School Anatomy laboratory that performs hands-on cadaveric dissection, we wanted to know whether the embalming process is sufficient to kill all commensal bacteria that pose a risk to staff and students. Even if these strains do not cause disease in these individuals, secondary transmission could occur to friends and family, who may be at higher risk of acquiring an infection. Embalming is assumed to eliminate all microbial contamination on the body. However, there are limited studies to confirm this. This study characterises the incidence of antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria in cadavers donated for medical teaching and research. We have screened for Methicillin-Resistant Organisms (MRO) and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. In this study group of cadavers, approximately 46% (16/35) carry an MRO, while 51% (18/35) carry an ESBL positive organism prior to embalming. By determining the organisms’ presence pre- and post-embalming, we can evaluate the embalming procedure’s effectiveness. Our results show embalming eliminates detectable microbes in about 51% (18/35) of the cadavers. MRO dropped by 75% (16 to 4 positive cadavers), while ESBL organisms went down by almost 95% (from 18 to 1 positive cadaver). There was a further decrease in the number of positive cadavers after storage at 4 °C to 6% (2/32). Thus, although the embalming process does not immediately sterilise all the cadavers, prolonged storage at 4 °C can further reduce the number of viable bacteria.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/11/2180embalmingmicrobial contaminationantimicrobialdrug-resistant bacteria |
| spellingShingle | Benedict Uy Simon Swift Francesca Casu David Mahuika Maurice A. Curtis Deborah Prendergast Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process Microorganisms embalming microbial contamination antimicrobial drug-resistant bacteria |
| title | Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process |
| title_full | Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process |
| title_fullStr | Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process |
| title_short | Dealing with Hidden Threats: The Antimicrobial Effect of the Embalming Process |
| title_sort | dealing with hidden threats the antimicrobial effect of the embalming process |
| topic | embalming microbial contamination antimicrobial drug-resistant bacteria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/11/2180 |
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