The Microbiology division aims at the diagnosis, applied research and training in infectious diseases such as TB, HIV-TB co-infection, malaria and STI. Research interests and laboratory capacity of the division match the current priority areas of funding of national and international agencies. The laboratory maintains a strain bank of at least 500 M tuberculosis clinical isolates which may be used for future basic or applied research.
PhD Students:

• Carried out practical work for PhD supported by LEPRA fellowship
• V.C. Kishore reddy, JNTU
• Mercy Aparna Latha, Nagarjuna University

Current:

- Dr. Nazia, Gandhi medical college, NTRUHS, for MD dissertation
- Ms. Kalai Vani, M.Sc(Applied Micro), VIT, Vellore for M.Sc major project

Some of the students national and international undergone post graduate training at BPHRC.

• 1 M.D student from Osmania Medical College has carried out their practical work for MD dissertation.
• ~8 M.Sc (Biotechnology & Microbiology) student’s dissertation work from different universities of South India.

The Immunology Division is primarily investigating immune mechanisms and genetic factors which may influence the manifestation of tuberculosis, leprosy and HIV-TB co-infection. CD4 cell counts are important in monitoring treatment in a patient with HIV infection. The test is also useful for diagnoses of AIDS in people with HIV infection. Blood samples collected during a camp organized in Orissa by Orissa State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) were tested for CD4 cell counts at LEPRA India – Blue Peter Public Health & Research Centre (BPHRC), Hyderabad.

Ph.D.
Awarded to Dr. B. Anuradha by Osmania University
4 students - Ms. Vidyagouri (JNTU), Ms. R.S. Sharada (OU), Mr. Sudheer (OU) and Mr. V. Sambasivan (OU) are registered.
Some national and international students who underwent post graduate training at BPHRC.

• Ph.D Students from LSHTM, UK: 2
• M.D students form Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal and Osmania Medical College for MD dissertation: 3
• M.D dissertation from Tampere University, Finland: 1
• Medical Students from UK for BMed Sci degree: 5
• M.Sc students from LSHTM for dissertation work: 2
• M.Sc (Biotechnology & Microbiology) students dissertation work from different universities of South India: 34

Our main strengths are as follows:

• Access to community
• Excellent records and archival material
• Well qualified medical, scientific and technical staff
• Laboratory infrastructure
• Recognition by national agency
• Research Funds from Govt. agencies
• Core funds from LEPRA.

Research Interest Areas:

Leprosy
– Multi-case families
– Source of infection - extra human
– Relapse; Drug Resistance
– Childhood, high burden blocks, Integration
– Immunological surrogate markers

TB
– Rapid diagnosis - Multi-drug resistant: Extra pulmonary
– Molecular epidemiology
– Childhood TB & VACCINES
– Immunological correlates
– Genetic susceptibility

HIV
– Neuropathy
– TB-HIV co infection – Host susceptibility
– Molecular epidemiology including anti retroviral drug resistance

Others
– Lymphatic filariasis
– Molecular epidemiology
– KalaAzar

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