Etiology of Disease and the Practitioner: Various Different Microorganisms (Continued)

  There are various microorganisms which cause disease when they enter the host body. They are called pathogens. The degree of which an organism is pathogenic is referred to as its virulence. If a disease organism enters a body and reproduces, it is referred to as infectious. Microorganisms that produce disease are bacteria fungi, rickettsia. These are plant like organisms. There is also a group of micro/macro animals (protozoa and helminthic) which must be of concern to the practitioner when handling the body.

  Also, embalmers must be aware of the fact that some organisms may be aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic organisms grow in free oxygen whereas anaerobic organisms live in oxygen free environments such as the intestinal tract. They become hazardous through transmigration after death of the organism host.

  The clostridium perfringens has the ability to pass through the blood and lymph vessels as well as the intercellular connective matrix which can cause tissue gas throughout the body. After death the clostridium perfringens, an anaerobic organism and a normal member of the colonic flora, becomes a saprophyte which is a critical participate in the post mortem degradation of the body’s colonic system.

  At this point it will turn into a pathogenic, releasing necrotizing enzymes and toxins which invade the necrotic tissue. The use of a solvent that produces nascent oxygen together with a preservative chemical will destroy the anaerobic organisms. This will prevent the spread of tissue gas which distorts the body’s appearance and, in many cases, cause the body unable to be viewed. This cross contamination could also result in a loss of limb or even death to the embalmer.

  Common pathogenic bacteria such as staphylococcus and Escherichia coli are a part of the normal flora of the skin, mouth and intestines. Specific viruses, all rickettsia and many other microbes require a method of moving from person to person such by direct contact, environmental contamination or insects. Insects can carry pathogens to another host such as other insects or contaminated instruments.

  The body during life is constructed to provide continual defenses against opportunistic organisms. The primary defense structure is the skin (Epithelium). These various inflammatory processes cease at death. Once death occurs, the major defense mechanisms no longer function. The body then becomes a medium for self-destruction by opportunistic microbes and environmental conditions. Continued sanitary practices and self-protection is essential at all times beginning with primary disinfection, continuing with secondary disinfection and ending with terminal disinfection.

  Common secondary infections are abscesses, pneumonia and wound infections. One of the most potent predisposing factors to secondary bacterial infections is the presence of dead tissue. Dead tissue is a good growth medium for microbes. It is a predisposing factor for causing obstructions in body passageways such as the urinary tract. This causes a build-up of fluid containing ammonia in the tissue. A major concern to the embalmer is the neutralization of the formaldehyde by the ammonia during the initial preservative injection. A gradual increase in the strength of the primary injection fluid should overcome the neutralization factor and obtain preservation of the tissue. The excessive fluid (edema) will be drained through gravitation and aspiration techniques.

  Part 18 will continue to discuss potential hazards associated with the handling of the dead human body.