Diagnostic significance of the histopathology of bone marrow macrophages in forensic autopsies. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takahashi, Shirushi; Takada, Aya; Saito, Kazuyuki; Hara, Masaaki; Yoneyama, Katsumi; Nakanishi, Hiroaki
• Is Part Of: Legal medicine. Volume 58(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Bone marrow -- Macrophage -- Hemophagocytosis -- Forensic histopathology -- Immunostaining; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Medical jurisprudence; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1344-6223

Abstract

Highlights: This forensic autopsy statistical analysis focused on bone marrow macrophages. Abnormal macrophages occurred in deaths due to agonal period-prolonging conditions. Resuscitation-responders showed a higher macrophages with hemophagocytosis ratio. Our data support forensic pathology assessments of antemortem general conditions. Abstract: Forensic pathologists often encounter autopsies that require an assessment of antemortem general conditions (e.g., infection, metabolic disorders). To establish evaluation clues for such cases, we quantitatively examined macrophages and the general pathology of bone marrow in samples from 180 forensic autopsy cases of decedents with various conditions. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Berlin blue staining, and immunostainings for CD163, CD138, and CD61 were performed. We determined the numbers per field (density) of total macrophages, swollen macrophages, macrophages with hemophagocytosis, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Each density was standardized by identifying its ratio to the total number of macrophages. The decedents' background data (cause of death, other pathological findings, postmortem interval, antemortem symptoms, and presence of resuscitation) were extracted. No correlations were found between the postmortem interval and the other decedent data, indicating that these data are not affected by postmortem changes. In the group in which inflammatory disease was the cause of death, there were significant elevations in the ratio of the swollen macrophage density to total macrophages. Significantly higher ratios of the density of swollen and hemophagocytic macrophages were observed in the group in which conditions with a prolonged agonal period were the cause of death. The group with a return of spontaneous circulation to resuscitation showed a significantly higher ratio of macrophage density with hemophagocytosis. This study provides the first statistical analysis focused on bone marrow histopathology in forensic autopsies. The results will be useful for elucidating causes of death and agonal-period conditions.