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Results for “PUTREFACTION”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Demonstration of myocardial necrosis in the presence of advanced putrefaction.

Samples of heart tissue were investigated in two series for the detectability of myocardial necrosis after artificial and natural putrefaction, respectively. In the first series heart tissue with and without infarction was artificially subjected to humid and dry autolysis and putrefaction. In the second investigation heart tissue was obtained from exhumed bodies after periods of burial ranging between 10 and 929 days. Besides histology a variety of immunohistochemical markers were applied and C5b-9 gave positive results even after long periods of artificial and natural putrefaction. From the methods tested, this was by far the most sensitive method with a high robustness against putrefaction. NP57, which indicates neutrophilic leucocytes could be demonstrated considerably longer after humid putrefaction than after dry putrefaction. The time limits of detection were considerably longer than for H&E. These two methods are the methods of choice for the detection of myocardial infarction and leucocyte infiltration in advanced stages of putrefaction.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Assessment of postmortem blood alcohol concentrations by ethanol levels measured in fluids from putrefactive blisters.

It was the aim of the present study to investigate whether the postmortem blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can be assessed by means of ethanol values measured in fluids from putrefactive blisters. Fluids from one or two putrefactive blisters were collected in 45 putrefied corpses (postmortem interval: 3-23 days, graduation of the degree of decomposition into four stages) and compared with femoral vein blood or femoral muscle. Ethanol and so-called putrefactive alcohols were determined in all samples by double GC-measurements. The results were converted to the medium water content of blood of 80%. The investigations revealed a significant correlation between the ethanol values of femoral blood/muscle and putrefactive blister fluid (PBF) (r = 0.725, P < 0.001). With the exception of one case, PBF values of 0.11% or more (n = 11) corresponded to minimum blood/muscle concentrations of 0.085%; PBF values of more than 0.15% (n = 8) corresponded to blood/muscle levels of at least 0.159%. Regression analysis revealed the formula BAC (in %) = 0.785 X ethanol (PBF) +0.011. Relevant concentrations of putrefactive alcohols such as 1- and 2-propanol and l-butanol only occurred in cases with far advanced decomposition. Ethanol levels determined in fluids from different putrefactive blisters of the same body also demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.791, P < 0.001). Ethanol concentrations determined in PBF must be judged with caution, but PBF values > 0.15% point to corresponding blood levels with a high degree of probability, at least where advanced putrefaction is excluded.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1998

Comparison of lipid composition in two types of human putrefactive liquid.

The decomposition of a human cadaver was stopped after solidification of putrefactive liquid during a GIS Burial experiment. Knowledge of this phenomenon is necessary to optimize burial conditions and to decrease cemetery congestion. In this preliminary study, we devised a method using thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography to compare different putrefactive liquids. A comparison of lipid composition among two cadavers revealed a decrease in the decomposition rate of the cadaver that had the gelled putrefactive liquid. Essentially, fatty acids were observed in two types of extracts. The difference was quantitative: there was a higher amount of fatty acids in the gelled sample than in the standard liquid, suggesting a decrease of decomposition rate in the gelled extract. A large quantity of oleate salts may be favourable for solidification. In addition, an isomer of oleic acid (elaidic acid) could be present which may have a determining factor in the phenomenon of gelled putrefaction. A large amount of stearic acid was present in the gelled extract and may be involved in solidification. This method was efficient for comparing the lipid composition of different putrefactive liquids and may be used for a large-scale study. This is the first report concerning methods to determine the lipid composition of human decomposition liquids after 4 years postmortem.

Aged↗

PubMed1978

[Studies on the estimation of the postmortem interval. 6. The putrefaction (author's transl)].

The authors have investigated ten kinds of putrefactive findings on 368 cadavers which were subjected to medico-legal autopsies in our laboratory and have come to the following conclusions. 1) Concerning the occurrence of the putrefactive findings, seasonal variation was not seen on the cadavers which had remained indoors in the Hokkaido districts. No variation due to age and sex was seen. The occurrence of the findings was less frequent in death from exsanguination, traumatic shock and cardiac tamponade. 2) The putrefactive findings can be utilized as a criterion for estimating the postmortem interval; the interval is estimated to be over 6 hours when the pericardial fluid is turbid, over 12 hours when exudation of putrefactive fluid, gas formation, blood-stained peritoneal fluid or blood-stained pericardial fluid is present, over 18 hours when greenish discoloration of the skin, network of the skin or blood staining of the endocardium or the endothelium is seen, over 2 days when bullae is present on the skin, over 5 days when the pericardial cavity is dry, within 6 days when none of them are present.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

[Air embolism or putrefaction? Gas analysis findings and their interpretation].

Gas was detected in the hearts of 111 necropsy cases. The gas was quantified and then analyzed by gas chromatography. In 70 cases H2, a clear marker of putrefaction, could be identified in the samples. After critical consideration, air embolism was accepted in 36 of the remaining cases. In nearly all instances, severe skull trauma or stab wounds to the neck or clavicular region gave rise to the air embolism. When the gas analysis data were compared, clear-cut differences were found between the two groups of putrefaction and air embolism. CO2 concentrations below 15%, N2 concentrations above 70%, and a CO2/N2 ratio below 0.2 proved to be good criteria to determine an air embolism. However, gas volumes, O2 concentrations, and CO2/O2 ratios largely overlapped in the two groups. Air embolism samples consistently had lower O2 concentrations and higher CO2 concentrations than atmospheric air, and this was evidently independent from incipient putrefaction. We suggest that these deviations result from a gas exchange between the venous blood and the embolized air volume taking place in the right heart ventricle. The dimensions of the concentration shifts may be understood from severe agonal hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1993

Differentiation between bruises and putrefactive discolorations of the skin by immunological analysis of glycophorin A.

In a differential study to distinguish bruises from putrefactive discoloration, glycophorin A, a component of the erythrocyte membrane, was extracted from discolored skins and detected by immunological methods utilizing an anti-glycophorin A serum. Skin samples of 18 bruises, 8 postmortem hypostasises and 7 putrefactive discolorations were removed from 27 bodies in which postmortem intervals ranged from 4 h to 2.5 months. In 13 out of the 18 bruises (72.2%), glycophorin A was detected by the immunological methods. It was noted that glycophorin A was detectable even in a severely putrefied body 10 days after death. In contrast, no glycophorin A was detected in any of the postmortem lividities or the putrefactive discolorations. These results suggest that the absence of glycophorin A does not always indicate a skin discoloration of postmortem origin, but a positive glycophorin A reaction does indicate a skin discoloration due to bruise.

Contusions↗

PubMed1999

Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia and death--etiologic factor or putrefactive artifact?

Late-presenting diaphragmatic hernias, whether congenital or acquired, may remain clinically undetected until mediastinal shift with cardiorespiratory compromise or intestinal or gastric infarction with perforation occur. A right-sided diaphragmatic hernia with herniation of small intestine into the adjacent pleural cavity is described in a 72-year-old man who was found dead at home in a putrefactive state. Subsequently, a history of a motor vehicle accident 8 years previously was obtained. Although postmortem herniation due to extensive putrefactive change may have occurred, producing gaseous distention and migration of the intestine, tight twisting of the herniated intestine several times around a pleural fibrous adhesion suggested that the herniation could have been an antemortem event. Unfortunately, marked tissue autolysis prevented assessment of possible ischemic changes in the herniated intestine. Although diaphragmatic hernia may be a contributing factor to death at all ages, it may not be possible to exclude it as an artifact of putrefaction in a predisposed individual.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Antibiotic pasting for foul putrefactive cancers.

Putrefaction of cancers in infrequent. Nonetheless, it presents a difficult clinical problem of foulness. We prepared 5% antibiotic pastes by adding sodium polyacrylate to aliquots of antibiotic solutions, and applied them to putrefactive lesions in 4 cases of rectal cancer, 2 of breast cancer and 1 of tongue cancer. The putrefaction was promptly brought under control in all of them, permitting an improved QOL. Concomitant application of anticancer pastes was also found remarkably effective. Use of sulperazone may offer a better chance of overcoming the beta lactamase barrier in cases of prolonged use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The diagnosis of fat embolism in lungs altered by putrefaction].

The results of biochemical analysis of rabbit lungs in case of death due to fat embolism and mechanical asphyxia (control) are presented. Reliable difference in lipid quantities was evident both immediately after death and in different putrefaction periods (this difference was 9-10 times greater in case of pulmonary fat embolism than in controls). The significant reduction in water content of the lungs in case of fat embolism as compared to controls was detected. Histological analysis of the putrefactive lungs can't detect fat embolism. Biochemical analysis makes it possible to diagnose fat embolism of the lungs in case of their marked putrefactive changes.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of putrefactive changes on the determination of Paraquat in autopsy materials.

This paper describes how the putrefactive changes in a cadaver will influence the determination of Paraquat in autopsy material. The carcasses of rats that had been given large doses of Paraquat and subsequently killed by cervical dislocation, were left at room temperature for up to seven days. Samples of stomach, caecum and liver were removed for the colorimetric determination of Paraquat with sodium dithionite following extraction on a Dowex 50W-4 column. Paraquat recovered from the stomach and caecum showed a decrease with time after death with the rate of decrease being greater in the caecum samples. However, the concentration of Paraquat in the liver increased for three days and then began to decrease gradually. The possible causes of these variations in Paraquat recovery are discussed. The findings appear to demonstrate the value of Paraquat determination even in samples from material that is in a state of advanced putrefaction.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Putrefaction and wound dehiscence: a potentially confusing postmortem phenomenon.

The decomposed body of a 49-year-old man was found at his home address. At autopsy, 3 incised wounds of the lower abdomen and groins were identified, raising the possibility of some form of inflicted injury. Further dissection revealed that the wounds were healing surgical incisions that had been forced open by putrefactive tissue breakdown, swelling, and gas formation. Death was due to ischemic heart disease. Putrefaction is a common problem encountered in forensic practice that may result in considerable distortion and modification of tissues. Unusual skin lesions caused by the disruption and dehiscence of healing surgical wounds may be created by decomposition. This possibility should be considered when symmetrical, cleanly incised wounds are identified.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1987

Growth inhibition of putrefactive anaerobe 3679 caused by stringent-type response induced by protonophoric activity of sorbic acid.

The inhibitory effects of potassium sorbate on the bioenergetics, phenylalanine uptake, protein synthesis, and certain aspects of cell regulation were examined in putrefactive anaerobe 3679. Undissociated sorbic acid appeared to act as a protonophore by lowering the intracellular pH and dissipating the proton motive force of the membrane. Sorbate inhibited the uptake of phenylalanine, decreased the rate of protein synthesis, and altered patterns of phosphorylated nucleotide accumulation, resulting in increased intracellular concentrations of GTP, ppGpp, and an unidentified compound (possibly pppGpp). The addition of a noninhibitory amount of tetracycline released the inhibition of growth by sorbate. Based on these results, we concluded that the inhibition of putrefactive anaerobe 3679 by sorbate resulted from a stringent-type regulatory response induced by the protonophoric activity of sorbic acid.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1971

Identification of a pea component stimulatory for heat-stressed putrefactive anaerobe 59-123 spores.

Pea extract contains a factor which improves recovery counts of heat-stressed putrefactive anaerobe spores in a complex medium up to threefold. The factor is heat-stable and nondialyzable. Most of the active principle is found in the precipitate which forms during storage of pea extract at 4 C. The precipitate disperses upon heating, is high in starch content, and retains activity after extraction with organic solvents and water. Treatment of pea extract with alpha-amylase results in complete destruction of the active principle. These observations indicate that starch is the factor in pea extract responsible for increased recovery counts of heat-stressed putrefactive anaerobe spores.

Bacillus↗

PubMed1963

Sporulation of Clostridium botulinum types A, B, and E, Clostridium perfringens, and putrefactive anaerobe 3679 in dialysis sacs.

Schneider, Morris D. (Quartermaster Food and Container Institute for the Armed Forces, U.S. Army, Chicago, Ill.), Nicholas Grecz, and Abe Anellis. Sporulation of Clostridium botulinum types A, B, and E, Clostridium perfringens, and Putrefactive Anaerobe 3679 in dialysis sacs. J. Bacteriol. 85:126-133. 1963.-Concentrated cultures of spores of Clostridium botulinum type A (33A, 37A), B (41B, 51B), and E (strain VH), C. perfringens (strain E), and Putrefactive Anaerobe 3679 were prepared in intussuscepted cellulose dialysis tubing. The apparatus consisted of a telescoped cellulose bag immersed into a suitable sporulation medium in a large Pyrex tube. The initial inoculum was a heavy suspension in physiological saline solution of either vegetative cells or heat-shocked spores. The seed material was introduced into the interior of the dialysis bag. Maximal spore populations were obtained within 10 to 12 days. Strains of C. botulinum type E and C. perfringens, known for their poor sporulation in conventional cultures, gave good spore crops in the dialysis bag. Some crops were of the order of 10(10) and 10(11) viable spores per liter of medium. The spores produced in the dialysis bag were conspicuously large, particularly after incubation for 20 to 30 days. Observations of the characteristics of spores formed in telescoped bags indicate that two highly resistant strains of C. botulinum, 33A and 41B, were apparently less resistant to gamma rays than spores of the same strains produced in identical media in conventional cultures.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1966

Nutritional requirements for germination, outgrowth, and vegetative growth of putrefactive anaerobe 3679 in a chemically defined medium.

Fujioka, Roger S. (University of Hawaii, Honolulu), and Hilmer A. Frank. Nutritional requirements for germination, outgrowth, and vegetative growth of putrefactive anaerobe 3679 in a chemically defined medium. J. Bacteriol. 92:1515-1520. 1966.-A chemically defined medium was used to study the nutritional requirements for germination, outgrowth, and vegetative growth of putrefactive anaerobe 3679. Vegetative growth required arginine, cysteine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, K(2)HPO(4), and Na(+); was markedly stimulated by isoleucine, tyrosine, nicotinic acid, and p-aminobenzoic acid; and was stimulated slightly by alanine, biotin, pyridoxamine, glucose, and salts (MgSO(4), FeSO(4), MnSO(4)). Growth occurred over an initial pH range of 6.0 to 8.2, and at incubation temperatures ranging from 20 to 45 C. No autolysis occurred during vegetative growth, although loss of motility and cell settling were observed upon prolonged incubation. Vegetative growth was inhibited completely by aerobic conditions. Completion of spore germination was inhibited at pH 4.8, outgrowth was inhibited at pH 8.5 and higher, and germination was inhibited at 9.0 and higher. Slow germination, but no outgrowth, was observed at 8 C; at 47 and 52 C, spore inocula germinated only partially. Under aerobic conditions, all inoculated spores germinated completely, and one-half of these also emerged. Alanine was considered the primary germinant in the chemically defined medium, and arginine and mineral salts (MgSO(4), FeSO(4), MnSO(4), and NaCl), as secondary germinants. During outgrowth of germinated spores, cysteine and K(+) were required for emergence, Na(+) for elongation, and arginine and valine for division of the elongated cell.

Alanine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of chlorinated carbohydrates in putrefactive biological material].

Carbochlorohydrates were separated from putrefaction products of organic substances and volatile solvents by gas chromatographic column packed with CaA 5 A. A 100 x 0.4 cm column, used for forensic chemical analysis of fresh and putrefactive cadaveric material, proved to be highly effective. The data were confirmed by results of chemical analysis of distillates from the viscera.

Cadaver↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The diagnosis of fatty dystrophy of the liver in fresh, formalin-treated and putrefactive cadaveric material].

In the course of investigation it was stated that fat hepatic dystrophy can be diagnosed by biochemical method (lipid extraction by hexane). For al this the content of extracted lipids more than 20% of dry residue evidences about the presence of fat hepatic dystrophy which is confirmed by histological detection of lipid granules whose quantity is increasing from fat dystrophy I degree (lipid content amounts up to 30% of dry residue) to fat dystrophy III degree (lipid content is more than 40%). Formalin treatment doesn't produce significant changes in lipid content and doesn't prevent biochemical diagnosis of fat dystrophy of the liver. In case of putrefied liver lipid content is increased slightly but in all periods of putrefaction lipid content in the liver in case of fat dystrophy remains significantly higher than in controls. Biochemical method may be used in diagnosis of fat hepatic dystrophy and its degree not only on fresh and formalin-treated cadaveric material but also in case of markedly pronounced putrefactive changes when other methods are useless and this fact is of great value for medicolegal practice.

Body Water↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The diagnosis of myocardial fatty dystrophy in putrefaction-altered cadaveric material (biochemical and histological studies)].

The biochemical method of lipid level assessment by their hexane extraction permits a judgement on the presence of obesity (fatty dystrophy) in the myocardium in drastic putrefactive changes in the corpse, when other methods are useless. Use of this method in cases with putrefactive changes will help in many cases to decide the problem on the possible 'cardiac' mechanism of death.

Adult↗