The prevalence of HIV in the sudden, unexplained and unexpected death population at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory.

Neil K Morris,Gert Saayman,Lynne Webber,Lorraine Du Toit-Prinsloo

doi:10.4102/sajhivmed.v17i1.424

Neil K Morris, Gert Saayman + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v17i1.424

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Abstract

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of HIV in the sudden, unexplained and unexpected (SUU) death population admitted to the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory.MethodsThis study was conducted at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. Blood samples were obtained from decedents who died suddenly and/or unexpectedly, during autopsy, by a forensic pathologist. Sample collection continued until 100 valid samples were analysed for HIV antibodies. The data collected included demographic details and case-related information.Results and ConclusionSUU deaths accounted for 14% of all cases admitted to the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. The HIV prevalence in the SUU deaths was 43%, which is 17% higher than the general mortuary population in Pretoria (p = 0.0045). The majority of these deaths were due to respiratory disease processes, with 12 cases having HIV/TB co-infection.

Highlights

There are numerous definitions for sudden deaths
A previous study conducted at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory (MLL) indicated that the HIV prevalence of the general mortuary population was 26%
The HIV prevalence in the SUU-Death population at the Pretoria MLL is 43%. This is significantly higher than the HIV prevalence in the general mortuary population at the Pretoria MLL (26%), translating into a 17% difference in prevalence between the two groups.[17]

Summary

Introduction

There are numerous definitions for sudden deaths. All of the definitions include two main parameters. They relate to the time from the onset of symptoms and signs, and the time of death.[1] These times vary between zero, 1, 6 and 24 h.1. The WHO defines a sudden death as a death occurring within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms.[2] Byard classified these deaths into three categories: those individuals who were apparently completely well and died suddenly; those who were mildly unwell; and those with known serious disease processes but were stable on treatment.[1] The admission of cases of sudden, unexpected and/or unexplained deaths (SUU-Deaths) to medico-legal mortuaries is a well-known worldwide phenomenon, and in many of these cases an inadequate history is present at the time of the investigation.[3]

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