Post-mortem microbiology in sudden death: sampling protocols proposed in different clinical settings.

Background: Autopsies, including minimally invasive autopsies, are a powerful tool for determination of the cause of death. When a patient dies from an infection, microbiology is crucial to identify the causative organism. Post-mortem microbiology (PMM) aims to detect unexpected infections causing sudden deaths; confirm clinically suspected but unproven infection; evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy; identify emergent pathogens; and recognize medical errors.

How is post-mortem microbiology appraised by pathologists? Results from a practice survey conducted by ESGFOR.

Post-mortem microbiology (PMM) is an important tool in forensic pathology, assisting to determine the cause and manner of death. However, there is a lack of standardisation of PMM sampling. In order to get a better insight into the methods used, the available technical options and developmental needs, ESCMID Study Group for Forensic and Postmortem Microbiology (ESGFOR) members designed a survey aimed at pathologists regarding common practices of PMM in clinical and forensic autopsies.

Association between irisin and homocysteine in euglycemic and diabetic subjects.

Objectives: The aim of study was to explore whether a relationship exists between homocysteine and irisin in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients-a population with a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease-and euglycemic controls.

Design And Methods: 69 T2D patients and 75 control subjects (adjusted by body mass index (BMI)) were included in the study. Irisin and homocysteine concentrations and anthropometric and biochemical variables were determined.