1.1 Introduction
Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is a valuable tool for analyzing the death of patients with Covid-19 infection. PMCT has been widely adopted in forensic investigations of SARS-CoV-2 suspected or ascertained-related deaths (Schweitzer et al., 2020; Kniep et al.; Ducloyer et al., 2020; Helmrich et al., 2020; Fitzek et al., 2020; De-Giorgio et al., 2021; Williams et al., 2021; Filograna et al., 2021; O’Donnell et al., 2021), especially during the first phase of the pandemic. The use of face masks in the community may primarily serve as a means of source control. This measure can be particularly relevant in epidemic situations when the number of asymptomatic but infectious persons in the community can be assumed to be high.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The current rampant coronavirus infection in humans, commonly known as COVID-19, a pandemic that may cause mortality in humans, has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 is considered a zoonotic infectious disease that can spread amongst humans or animals to human (Zhou et al., 2020); when transmitted by humans, it could lead to serious respiratory conditions (Abdelhafiz et al., 2020 and Chandi et al., 2020). The key clinical signs and symptoms include fatigue, a fever of 39 degrees and above, dry cough, dyspnoea, fatigue, and myalgia, and in some severe cases, COVID-19 infection can cause kidney failure, severe pneumonia and acute respiratory syndrome, and even death (Abdelhafiz et al., 2020).
COVID-19 causes a multiorgan disease, with clinical mani- festations ranging from asymptomatic to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The most common clinical manifestations are respiratory symptoms, ranging from mild upper-respiratory symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (Zou et al., 2020). Although COVID-19 is usually char- acterized by a multiorgan effect associated with hyperacti- vation of the immune system response, it mainly affects the histopathological findings in SARS-CoV-2 infection (Vasquez-Bonilla et al., 2020; Wichmann, 2020; Kirschenbaum et al., 2021; Maiese et al., 2021).
Several studies have noted that the majority of people in sub-Saharan African are noncompliant with proposed health and safety measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and respective country health departments. In most sub-Saharan African countries, noncompliance is attributable to ignorance and misinformation, thereby raising questions about people’s knowledge, attitudes, perception, and practices towards COVID-19 in these settings. This situation is particularly of concern for governments and public health experts. Thus, this scoping review is aimed at mapping evidence on the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and preventive practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The morbidity and mortality rates due to the pandemic are increasing rapidly worldwide, with the USA most affected by the disease. The source COVID-19 is not absolutely clear; however, the disease may be transmitted by either by COVID-19-positive individuals or from a contaminated environment. In this review, we focused on how the COVID-19 virus is transmitted in the community. An extensive literature search was conducted using specific keywords and criteria. Based on the published report, it is concluded that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted human-to-human via oral and respiratory aerosols and droplets with the virus-contaminated environment play a lesser role in the propagation of disease. Healthcare providers and the elderly with comorbidities are especially susceptible to the infection.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to review the Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) Findings in Covid-19 Cadavers.
1.3 Statement of Problems
The intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, however, the rapid human to human transfer has been confirmed widely. There is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to be used against COVID-19. However, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been evaluated against COVID-19 in clinical trials, resulted in clinical recovery.
While COVID‑19 pandemic continues to spread worldwide, researchers have linked patterns of traits to poor disease outcomes. Risk factors for COVID‑19 include asthma, elderly age, being pregnant, having any underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and experiencing lifelong systemic racism. Recently, connections to certain genes have also been found, although the susceptibility has not yet been established.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) Findings in Covid-19 Cadavers, In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the factors instigating the genetic susceptibility to COVID-19.
- To assess the potential use of postmortem Computed Tomography in Covid-19 Cadavers.
- To find out the relevance of PMCT in Covid-19 Cadavers
- To find out the relationship between Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) and Covid-19 Cadavers
- To investigate the correlation between PMCT lung findings in autopsy cadavers positive for Covid-19 infection and the severity of COVID-19 lung disease by histopathological analysis.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors instigating the genetic susceptibility to COVID-19?
- Is there any relationship between Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) and Covid-19 Cadavers?
- What is the relevance of PMCT in Covid-19 Cadavers?
- What are the potential uses of postmortem Computed Tomography in Covid-19 Cadavers?
- What is the correlation between PMCT lung findings in autopsy cadavers positive for Covid-19 infection and the severity of COVID-19 lung disease by histopathological analysis?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There is no significant relationship between Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) and Covid-19 Cadavers
- H1: There is a significant relationship between Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) and Covid-19 Cadavers
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Systematic Review on Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) Findings in Covid-19 Cadavers.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
