[Investigation of tuberculosis among the necropsy staff and environment in necropsy rooms].
We examined the incidence of tuberculosis among necropsy staff and the environment in the necropsy rooms at five medical institutions carrying out a large number of necropsy annually in the metropolis of Tokyo. The following results were obtained: 1) Incidence of tuberculosis was high among necropsy workers. 2) The method of wearing face masks was inadequate. 3) Tubercle bacilli were detected from the necropsy workers' aprons and the air-conditioning equipment of the necropsy room. 4) Formalin treatment of resected organs, especially the lungs, was inadequate. 5) The air conditioners in necropsy rooms were not effective. Considering these findings, improvement of the working conditions and environment of the necropsy rooms is needed.
Division of Respiratory Disease, National Matsue Hospital, Shimane-ken, Japan.
S
S
Shishido
T
T
Mori
O
O
Tokudome
M
M
Kawai
D001344:Autopsy; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology