title: Heat stroke in an incubator: an immunohistochemical study in a fatal case.
abstract: The authors report the unique case of an 8-day-old infant succumbing to heat stroke caused by an abnormal increase of the environmental temperature in an incubator. At postmortem examination, second-degree burns were detected, and macroscopic and microscopic findings were typical for a heat-related death. An immunohistochemical study was performed. At the same time, a detailed examination of the incubator was conducted, revealing a malfunctioning of the temperature and relative humidity control system. We suggest that the diagnosis of heat stroke has to be confirmed on the basis of a detailed postmortem examination and a complete immunohistochemical investigation of heat shock proteins, molecules produced acutely in response to heat stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia Ospedali Riuniti, Via L. Pinto no. 1, 71100 Foggia, Italy. vfinesc@tin.it
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fineschi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Errico
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panarese
authors.forename: Pietro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turillazzi
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007186:Incubators, Infant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D016256:Lewis X Antigen
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