Screening of Hepatitis C Virus Antibody among Claimed and Unclaimed Dead Bodies during Medico-legal Autopsy

Abstract

Background: HCV is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. Most of  the unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsies at Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady  Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi are beggars and destitute, who indulge in drug addiction and  unsafe sex, and thus are more prone to HCV infection than the general population. The HCV can survive  outside the body for at least two weeks. During this time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the  body of a person. Aims: To evaluate whether unclaimed dead bodies pose more risk of transmitting HCV  infection than claimed dead bodies. Materials and Methodology: The present study was conducted on  100 claimed and 100 unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsies, using anti HCV Ab at  Department of Microbiology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. Results: Of the total 200 cases,  4(2%) cases were found positive for HCV antibody and hence were HCV infected. In case of claimed  dead bodies, none of the cases were found positive for HCV antibody whereas in unclaimed dead bodies,  4% cases were positive. Thus, the chance of HCV infection is more among the unclaimed bodies than the  claimed bodies brought for medico-legal autopsies at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.  Conclusion: Unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsy should be screened for HCV  antibody prior to autopsy so that all the precautions can be taken to avoid contracting HCV infection.