Autopsy and Lab Dx Flashcards
Why do a post mortem exam?
-confirm/reject clinical dx
-dealing w/ unknown dz
helps for prevention & tx of other animals
-testing for agents w/o
documenting pathological process is of limited use
Selecting a Post mortem site
Areas to avoid:
-accessible to animals, contain food, high traffic, difficult to disinfect
Favorite spots:
-concrete, dirt in the sun, straw bed
Disposal options for PM
-burial, renderer, transport to a disposal site, incineration (anthrax), composting
Biosecurity & Biosafety
all specimens should be handled and treated as though they are a potential zoonosis threat
Routes of exposure to pathogens during a PM
- oral #1
- percutaneous (sharps injury) #2
- aerosolization
- splash into eye
Biosafety level mostly used
BSL 2
- limited access, biohazard warning signs, “sharps” precautions
- safety equipment: PPE
PPE for a standard necropsy
scrubs/coveralls, boots, non-sterile gloves
Equipment needed for PM
- PPE, sharp knife, rib cutters, saw or axe for brain removal, forceps/scissors, jars, bags, swabs, tubes
- label everything FIRST
PM steps for any species
-external exam, open body cavities, collect microbiologic samples, remove & dissect organs, collect histologic samples
What body cavity do we open first?
abdominal 1st, then thoracic
Once the body cavities are open, which test do you sample for first:
microbiology- contamination
Collecting microbiologic samples
- microbiology specimens are collected aseptically
- sample intestine last
- collect generous tissue samples»_space; swabs
- place fresh tissues in separate containers
- keep samples cold w/ ice
How to confirm sepsis with culture?
send out several organ samples, culture will grow the same bacteria
What type tube do we use for culture?
red top tube
Remove and dissect organs
- breadloaf solid organs
- open lumens
- open GI last
