Emerging Infectious Diseases (Aug 2024)

Infective SARS-CoV-2 in Skull Sawdust at Autopsy, Finland

  • Jonas N. Kantonen,
  • Suvi Kuivanen,
  • Teemu Smura,
  • Henri Puttonen,
  • Eliisa Kekäläinen,
  • Antti Sajantila,
  • Liisa Myllykangas,
  • Anu Kantele,
  • Olli Vapalahti,
  • Mikko I. Mäyränpää,
  • Olli Carpén

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3008.240145
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 8
pp. 1735 – 1737

Abstract

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We assessed the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 at autopsy in 22 deceased persons with confirmed COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 was found by PCR (2/22, 9.1%) and by culture (1/22, 4.5%) in skull sawdust, suggesting that live virus is present in tissues postmortem, including bone. Occupational exposure risk is low with appropriate personal protective equipment.

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