학술논문
Feasibility and acceptability of undertaking postmortem studies for tuberculosis medical research in a low income country
Document Type
article
Author
Gift Ahimbisibwe; Marjorie Nakibuule; Marvin Martin Ssejoba; David Oyamo; Rose Mulwana; Josephine Nabulime; Febronius Babirye; Musana Abdusalaamu Kizito; Hervé Monka Lekuya; Akello Suzan Adakun; Daisy Nalumansi; Stella Muryasingura; Robert Lukande; Andrew Kyazze; Joseph Baruch Baluku; Irene Andia Biraro; Stephen Cose
Source
Frontiers in Immunology, Vol 14 (2023)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1664-3224
Abstract
IntroductionIf we are to break new ground in difficult-to-treat or difficult-to-vaccinate diseases (such as HIV, malaria, or tuberculosis), we must have a better understanding of the immune system at the site of infection in humans. For tuberculosis (TB), the initial site of infection is the lungs, but obtaining lung tissues from subjects suffering from TB has been limited to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum sampling, or surgical resection of diseased lung tissue.MethodsWe examined the feasibility of undertaking a postmortem study for human tuberculosis research at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.ResultsPostmortem studies give us an opportunity to compare TB-involved and -uninvolved sites, for both diseased and non-diseased individuals. We report good acceptability of the next-of-kin to consent for their relative’s tissue to be used for medical research; that postmortem and tissue processing can be undertaken within 8 hours following death; and that immune cells remain viable and functional up to 14 hours after death.DiscussionPostmortem procedures remain a valuable and essential tool both to establish cause of death, and to advance our medical and scientific understanding of infectious diseases.