Department of Microbiology

SERVICES

Teaching of the 2nd & 3rd Professional M.B.,B.S., students in various disciplines of Microbiology – General and Systematic Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Mycology, Immunology & Applied Medical Microbiology.
Providing routine diagnostic facilities in the various fields of Microbiology i.e., Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Immunology and Virology.

Imparting round the clock Emergency Microbiology Laboratory services in the attached hospital. Testing the patients for Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus HIV (AIDS virus) infections by ELISA and rapid Plasma Region (RPR) antibody for syphilis.

Carrying out bacterial  surveillance of operation theatres periodically to find out the quality of sterilization in order to reduce the incidence of post-operative infections. 
Besides, sterility checking of the sterile fluids and other sterile items is being carried out whenever required.

DIAGNOSTIC ACTIVITIES    
The diagnostic microbiological services, rendered by the department are spread  across all major branches of Medical Microbiology. The different sections include Exudates, Body fluids, Blood, Urine and Stool culture, Immunology, Parasitology, Virology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology surveillance of Hospital Acquired infections and water Analysis for presumptive coilform count as well as Cholera. Well trained  and experienced technical staff of the department is doing the diagnostic services under the guidance of experienced faculty.

Academic Activities :
The Department of Microbiology organised the first ever South Zonal conference of Medical Microbiologists (SOZOCON - MICRO 2008) in January 2008 and  (SOZOCON - MICRO 2011) in march 2011 at SMVMCH. The department of Microbiology also conducted a CME programme on Hospital acquired infections.

Research Project:
The department of Microbiology is also involved in research work on current problems like MRSA.  One project is funded by the Government of Puducherry. The details are given below.
Dr. J.Shanmugam     : Professor of Microbiology – Principal Investigator
Dr. R.Gopal                : Professor of Microbiology – CoInvestigator
Mr. K.Senthilkumar   : Assistant Professor            - CoInvestigator

Title of the Project:
“Study of the prevalence and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA isolated from the healthy staff, students and patients in a rural area of Puducherry”.

Funding Agency        : Department of Science, Technology & Environment,                                      Government of Puducherry.
Period of Study         : April, 2007 to March, 2009.
The department is also taking initiatives to start a Research Project on ESBL producing pathogenic bacteria isolated from our patient.

Awards / Honors
Dr. J. Shanmugam, Professor of Microbiology has received various awards and honors for his outstanding contribution made in the field of Medical Microbiology for the past four decades.

Dr. Brammaiah Shasthri Memorial Award – 2006 from the Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists.

Life Time Achievement Award in 2007 from the Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists.

Nominated and elected by the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists to receive the IAMM Endowment Oration Award in 2008.

Appointed by the Indian Council of Medical Research as a member of the Panel of “Project Review Committee” in Microbiological diseases.

Invited to deliver the valedictory address during the silver jubilee celebration of the Department of Microbiology at Dr. ALM Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taramani, University of Madras.

Appointed as the Editor of the Journal BIOMEDICINE (a publication of the Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists) being published from the Department of Physiology, JIPMER, Puducherry.