Microbiology as a subject imparts knowledge about various microorganisms as a causative factor for inducing a disease. Department of Microbiology functions in two division’s mainly Clinical microbiology and Academics. Clinical microbiology is a multidisciplinary unit comprising of Immunology, Parasitology, Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology and Serology. The department is well equipped with adequate academic resources, spacious lecture halls, museum and laboratory and departmental library.
The Department of Microbiology is part of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital Laboratory services which offers various modalities for diagnosis of infectious diseases.
We have a dynamic group of microbiologists who strive to provide timely and accurate reports to aid in patient care. Along with the conventional diagnostic techniques, rapid tests and state of the art automated equipment with latest technologies have been incorporated into the laboratory services. Apart from diagnostics, academic and research work forms a major component of the departmental activities. Continual medical education in the form of workshops and conferences are held every year.
Adding a feather to its cap the department of Microbiology has the Prestigious NABL Accreditation.Microbiology as a subject imparts knowledge about various microorganisms as a causative factor for inducing a disease. Department of Microbiology functions in two division’s mainly Clinical microbiology and Academics. Clinical microbiology is a multidisciplinary unit spanning of Immunology, Parasitology, Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology, Entomology and Serology. The department is well equipped with adequate academic resources, spacious lecture halls, museum and laboratory and departmental library.
The already well equipped lab is now in the process of inducting advanced systems such as BACTEC, BACTALERT, FLOWCYTOMETRY, PCR etc. In co-ordination with other departments, the microbiology Department is also involved in nation health programs such as RNTCP for tuberculosis, NLEP for leprosy and ICTC for HIV.
Infectious diseases rather than just microbiology alone are our expertise. Our faculty are well versed in clinical microbiology, with all of them having experience in safe hospital practices, critical care units sterility checks, hospital infection control committee, antibiotic policy, ICTC, RNTCP training & biomedical waste management. Our postgraduates will be fully trained clinical microbiologists after their training.
The clinical Microbiology laboratory caters to the diagnostic needs of Rajarajeswari Super Specialty Hospital. The laboratory offers services 24/7 to the entire hospital. Clinical Microbiology comprises essentially of eight sections, with faculty members monitoring and authorizing the work in each section. The following are the sections of the laboratory:
This section deals with the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species along with the antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolated bacterial species and staining of the direct smears. From Patients samples hanging drop for the presence of Vibrio cholerae is also done. The following are some of the specimens that are processed in this laboratory:
Both aerobic and anaerobic cultures are done in Biosafety Cabinet level IIB. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing is done by Kirby bauer Disc diffusion method. Direct smears are stained by Grams and Alberts for the appropriate samples. Potable water and environmental surveillance, Critical care area surveillance, Microbiology sterility, sterility check of blood bags, solutions and sterilizers are also processed in this section.
Virology:The department has a state of the artfully automated 4 plate ELISA processors. It is for used for diagnosis of viral diseases like Hepatitis A & C, Dengue, HIV, HBsAg & Rubella.
Serology:This section handles the bulk of lab investigations by evaluating antigen-antibody reactions in vitro by slide agglutination or Rapid Card/strip method. The following tests are included in this section:
This section deals with antigen-antibody reactions in serum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. CRP, RA & ASLO are detected in this section.
Parasitology:This section mainly deals with detection of parasite’s from patient samples, Stool sample for Microscopic examination for parasitic ova, cyst and larva and sometimes for the parasites. Blood smear examination for haematological parasites like malaria, babesia, filarial and leishmania are also included.
Mycology:This section covers the disease of fungal etiology diagnosed by direct microscopy using potassium hydroxide & Culture in sabourauds dextrose agar. Gram’s stain for the presence of yeasts and special stains like India ink for Cryptococcus are also included in this section.
Media preparation:The medium required for the growth of the bacteria’s, fungus and parasites are prepared in this section under aseptic conditions with sterility check.
Mycobacteriology:This section deals with identification of mycobacterium species by direct microscopy using zeihl neelsen and fluorescent stains and culture by using Lowenstein Jensen medium.
The Microbiology department works in co-ordination with other departments in implementation of certain National Health Programmes like RNTCP (for Tuberculosis) and ICTC (for HIV). Clinical microbiology also plays a huge role in Hospital Infection Control Committee, Biomedical Waste Management Committee and Central Sterile Supply Department. Internal Quality and External Quality Control is being monitored regularly.
The department enthusiastically initiates and carries out research and is equipped with the latest Fluorescent Microscope and a fully automated four plate ELISA. The following are the on-going research projects in the department:
The department has experienced and qualified faculty ably supported by non-teaching staff i.e. Senior Technicians, Technicians and Technical attendants. The department has all infrastructural facilities like accommodation, instruments, museum, research laboratory, library as per the MCI requirement.
We have a spacious museum with different models of viruses, color charts of life cycles of parasites, bacteriology charts and photos. In addition to that we have an excellent collection of undergraduate & postgraduate exam slides.
Students are being taught to learn the infectious origin of the diseases both by theoretical classes and practical demonstration. At the end of the term, students will be able to identify the pathogens by culture and biochemical tests, stain the organisms and be able to do the laboratory tests.