Bacteriology: This division provides diagnostic service
to local hospitals. Activities include bacterial
culture media preparation, sterilization
of glassware and routine culture, identification
and sensitivity testing of bacterial isolates.
Besides this, a large number of standard
and locally isolated bacterial strains are
stocked and maintained by lyophilization.
Work on beta-lactamase production in the
different bacteria is being carried out.
Serotyping of bacteria including, salmonella,
vibrio, streptococci etc is also done. Extensive
work is being done on isolation and identification
of fastidious bacteria like H. influenzae,
pneumococci etc. Research work on GBS, CONS
and Enterococci has been undertaken recently.
Serology: Various serological tests
including VDRL, RPR, WIDAL, ASO titres,
CRP and Rh factor are being done routinely
in this laboratory. Numerous ELISAs are
carried out including for hepatitis B and
C, CMV, Rubella, Dengue and Japanese encephalitis.
Immunofluorescent microscopy is also done
for diagnosis of various pathogens
Molecular Biology Division: This
section is equipped for carrying out basic
molecular techniques and has PCR machine,
gel documentation system and gel electrophoresis
apparatus. A number of in- house PCR have
been standardized. PCR for methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), M.tuberculosis,
Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae
are being done for research purposes.
Tuberculosis laboratory: We receive
a number of samples for diagnosis of tuberculosis.
M. tuberculosis culture and sensitivity
testing for primary drugs by proportion
method is done routinely. We have been identified
as Intermediate Reference laboratory for
quality control in RNTCP under Govt. of
India/WHO, world Bank.
Virology Division: This division
is a pioneer in research in the field of
immunopathology of viral infections and
has made outstanding contributions in understanding
pathogenesis of dengue and Japanese encephalitis
virus infections. It is a forerunner in
the field of cytokine research in the country
and has discovered 7 unique cytokines. The
work carried out in this division has been
widely cited - 5 of the papers, being quoted
in standard text books like Topley and Wilson's
Principles of Bacteriology, Virology and
Immunology and in Fields Text Book of Virology.
Currently the work is going on in areas
of HIV, Arbo viruses, Hepatitis and Herpes
simplex viruses.
Parasitology Division: This Division
provides facilities for diagnosis of intestinal
and blood parasites like malaria and filaria
etc. Serological tests for diagnosis of
parasitic infection eg for T. gondii and
antigen detection test for malaria is also
done. Studies on pathogenesis of visceral
leishmaniasis, opportunist parasitic infections
including micrococcidia and cryptosporidium
are also underway.
Mycology: Both superficial and deep
mycotic infections are diagnosed by smear
examination and culture. Work on role of
Candida sp. In septicemia in under way.
National Shigella Center: It supplies
polyvalent and monovalent antisera and specific
antigens of various Shigellae to other teaching
Institutions and hospitals of the country
and provides facility of identification
and typing of Shigella strains referred
to the center.
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