Microbiology

The Department of Microbiology is catering manyservices which include specimen collection and reporting through LIMS in the central lab.

The following diagnostic lab tests are performed in the department.

Bacteriology:Staining, culture & sensitivity

Immunology: ASO, CRP, RA

Serology:WIDAL, RPR,Scrub typhus, Leptospirosis

Virology:Hepatitis (A, B, C), Dengue,Chikungunya

Molecular virology:(Covid-19,HBV& HCV viral load)

Mycobacteriology: AFB staining

Mycology: KOH mount, fungal culture

Parasitology: Saline mount, Iodine mountfor ova/cyst

 Environmental Surveillance: OT sterility, Critical units(aerobic and anaerobic )

The Department also receives samples from many PHCs and GHs in and around the district for the OT sterility, blood bag sterility&clinical samples under IELS. Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory performs on an average of 16,000 tests per month.

We have State Reference Laboratory for HIV testing Laboratory under NACO programme which receive samples from 3 districts( Villupuram,Tiruvanamalai&Cuddalore) ICTC & Blood bank centers(78 ICTC centre& 10 Blood bank) for EQAS  programme (half yearly) and Quality control rechecking & retesting programme (quarterly); also receives indeterminate samples for HIV testing. The lab participates in HIV sentinel surveillance once in 2 years and tests 4000 samples which are received from alloted ten centers. The State Reference Laboratory for HIV testing Laboratory has got NABL accreditation.

          In addition the department plays an important role in Hospital Infection Control Committee&Bio Medical Waste Management. Training on Bio Medical Waste Management& Infection control practices for medical, paramedical, allied health science,nursing students, staff nurses, CRMIs, postgraduates, Assistant professors are done quarterly. The training is also included in foundation course for newly joined MBBS students.

We are also involved in IHIP, National Viral Hepatitis Control Program &EQAS program.

About 2000 to 2300 HBsAg tests and 1900 to 2000 Anti HCV tests are carried out monthly. The Hepatitis B viral DNA and Hepatitis C viral RNA load are done by RT PCR, monthly 40 to 50 tests are done

In EQAS PROGRAM we participate in bacteriology EQAS quarterly,Mycology, and blood borne virus serology and parasitology 6 months once.95 percent proficiency is being obtained in EQAS.

The academic program is also extended, like Undergraduate CBME curriculumfor 100 students, the CBME based postgraduate program with intake of 2 postgraduates per year involving more of discussion and seminars. Our Postgraduates have participated in poster/oral presentation in various conferences.

The Department conducts classes for paramedical courses like 2 year DMLT course,4 years BSc Nursing course,Allied Health Science courses like 3 year Bsc.MLT, BSc respiratory therapy, BSc cardiac technnology, BSc Dialysis technology,BSc Optometry, BSc Physician Assistant, BSC Accident & Emergency care technology,BSC OT &Anaesthesia technology& others like MRD course students.