Tuberculosis prevalence in forensic autopsies.
BACKGROUND
According to the 2008 World Health Organization report, in 2006, 9.2 million new cases were determined, and 1.7 million people have lost their life due to tuberculosis (TB) in all around the world. In our country (Turkey), it is estimated that 35,000 to 40,000 people have TB disease annually. The Ministry of Health could just determine 18,500 of these cases, and only 6500 patient could be treated effectively. According to the Tuberculosis Dispensary records, the incidence for TB in Turkey is 28/100,000.


METHODS
It is aimed to determine the infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis using acidoresistant bacilli microscopy, TB culture, and histopathological methods in tissue samples that were obtained from lungs of forensic cases whose autopsies had been performed in Council of Forensic Medicine Ankara Department Morgue Specialized Committee.


RESULTS
A total of 3 tissue samples that were obtained from lungs of randomized 302 cases, were positive for TB in Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Granuloma with caseating necrosis was found in histopathological examination and acidoresistant (+) bacilli (1+, 2+, and 2+, respectively) in microscopically analysis were also demonstrated in this 3 tissue samples.


CONCLUSIONS
For this reason, we think that autopsy workers have to be careful about tuberculosis during their autopsy working.
Ozsoy
Sait
S
Department of Forensic Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. dr_saitozsoy@yahoo.com
Demirel
Birol
B
Albay
Ali
A
Kisa
Ozgul
O
Dinc
Ahmet H
AH
Safali
Mukerrem
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
D001500:BCG Vaccine