| Blue Peter Research Centre (BPRC) |
Microbiology Division |
Brief note: |
Microbiology division of BPRC was established with the aim of developing a reputed research hub which could act as a regional referral center for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases of LEPRA’s interest. |
Key objectives of the division are : |
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Identification and implementation of research in priority areas of the above fields. |
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Establishment and maintenance of standard research technology and good laboratory practices. |
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Development of new interventions that can help the activities of LEPRA projects in particular and the public in general. |
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| Microbiology Group |
Team |
1. |
Dr. S. Aparna, MD, Group Leader |
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2. |
Mrs. B. Triveni M. Sc, Lab. technician |
3. |
Mr. K.V.S.M. Rao, DMLT, Lab. technician |
4. |
Mr. K. Srikanth M. Sc, Lab. technician |
| 5. |
Ms. L Mercy Aparna Latha, M.Sc, Research Fellow |
| 6. |
Mr. J. Ganesh B. Sc, Lab.attendant |
| 7. |
Mr. Narsingh, Attendant |
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Areas of research activities: |
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Simple and cost effective sputum preservation and transport techniques for mycobacterial culture for tropical conditions |
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Culture and Drug susceptibility testing of M. tuberculosis by L J culture method. |
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Rapid culture of Mycobacteria by MB BacT automated liquid culture system. |
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Rapid diagnosis of TB by Genprobe MTD test.(The test can detect the presence of TB causing bacilli (live) in sputum or other specimens with in 24 hours ) |
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Diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis by conventional and automated methods |
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Molecular identification of Mycobacterial species. |
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Culture and drug susceptibility testing for other bacteria. |
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Molecular typing of M. tuberculosis |
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2. Project level achievements till date |
Service
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The laboratory conducts drug susceptibility tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis which are available only in few centers in Andhra Pradesh other than BPRC. These tests are helpful in choosing the right drugs for patients that do not respond to the standard medication |
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General microbiology laboratory deals with the culture and drug susceptibility testing for fungi and bacteria other than Mycobacteria. The laboratory helps in choosing the right antibiotic treatment for leprosy patients having plantar ulcers complicated with secondary infections. |
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Research |
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Sputum transport method using cetyl pyridinium chloride is being successfully applied in transporting the sputum from field areas to the laboratory for culture. The method of preservation, packing and transporting in tropical climate is well established. |
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Research studies on multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR) generated information on the magnitude of MDR in new TB patients between 2002- 2004 in Hyderabad (2.8%), Ranga reddy district (2.4%), Adilabad and Vijayawada of AP (2.3%) and Koraput in Orissa (0%). |
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Mycobacterial culture of fine needle aspirate (fluid) was initiated and established for diagnosing TB lymphadenitis. This method has been proven to supplement the cytology and smear tests which are in current use for diagnosis. |
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| Human interest stories (case studies) |
Case-1 |
A 35 year case of known HIV seropositivity had reported to BPRC clinic. His blood picture was showed CD4 lymphocyte count of <100/ul. He had large bilateral neck swellings, which were treated in the previous hospital as non specific lymphadenitis based on the cytopathological findings. Patient reported to BPRC when he developed sinuses over the swellings, discharging foul smelling pus. We have aspirated the pus and subjected it for acid fast smear and culture, it was positive for both tests indicating that the swellings were due to TB lymphadenitis. He was diagnosed to be having a concurrent extra pulmonary and pulmonary TB with non specific cytological findings and non specific lung symptoms (slight breathlessness but not the typical symptoms of cough or fever). Patient was treated with standard anti TB treatment and responded to the treatment as evidenced by the regression of the neck swellings with in two months. |
Inference: Non specific presentations of TB are common in HIV positive persons. Hence we should have a high clinical suspicion for TB in people living with HIV/AIDS |
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Case-2 |
A 30 year old male patient was reported at BPRC for treatment of chronic TB. He had received irregular treatment else where for more than a year but not relieved of the symptoms. He was seriously ill, when he reported at BPRC. In the earlier hospital, that he was diagnosed as a serious form of TB (resistant to all first line drugs) and he was denied treatment by some doctors, who assumed that he had both HIV and TB. From BPRC, He was referred to a Voluntary HIV testing center (VCCTC) and tested negative for HIV infection. His sputum specimen was cultured for Mycobacterium.tuberculosis at BPRC and his treatment was started with more effective drugs (called second line drugs). Now the patient is responding to treatment and doing well. His latest sputum cultures were negative for mycobacteria indicating that the infection is under control. |
Inference: Irregular TB treatment as seen in the above case, leads to the development of multi drug resistance (MDR TB). However, proper treatment guided by culture and drug susceptibility testing leads to cure. |
Completed projects (Funding agency) |
1. |
Study of the Mycobacterial Species Causing Lymph node Tuberculosis. (LEPRA) (2003-2006) |
2. |
Prevalence Of Multi drug Resistance In Newly Treated Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Multi centric Study. (LEPRA)(2004-2005) |
3. |
Study of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Using Culture, drug Sensitivity and Genetic Analysis of M.tuberculosis strains. (LEPRA)(2002-2004) |
4. |
Drug resistance surveillance in Ranga reddy district (DFID) (2002-2003) |
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| Information about Partners/Donors supporting the Project (each partner/ donor info in 3-5 lines) |
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Dept of Science and Technology- The project is on diagnosis of extra pulmonary TB and is funded by DST, GOI under Scince and Engineering Research Council, young Scientists grant. The agency would support the study up to December, 2007 |
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AP Chest Hospital – State referral hospital for TB and TB and HIV co infected patients, collaborates with BPRC on study of lymph node TB. |
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Sivananda Rehabilitation home- Leprosy rehabilitation center funded by German Leprosy Relief Association and Sivananda trust. Collaborates in the study on plantar ulcers in leprosy patients. |
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| Current research interests |
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Secondary Microbial infections in plantar ulcers of leprosy patients |
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Studying TB and HIV co infection |
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Drug resistance in TB and leprosy |
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Evaluating rapid diagnostic tests for extra pulmonary TB |
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Genotyping M. tuberculosis |
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Establishment of mycobacterial strain repository |
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Sputum transport from distant communities
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