birlaheart.org

MYCOBACTERIOLOGY : this lab is a Biosafety level 3 containment facility because it cultures mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria. Cultures are done by automated culture system and samples are handled following WHO and CDC safety guidelines.

MYCOLOGY : this is an isolated facility which cultures fungi from clinical samples. Fungal infections are increasingly suspected in patients with compromised immunity and so proper diagnostic facility for these infections have become absolutely essential. We also perform species level identification and antifungal susceptibility of Candida, the commonest fungus isolated from patients. We have the finest and the most advanced mycology facility in the city.

AUTOMATION : With increasing need for accurate and rapid results in case of the infectious diseases automation has become a part of every division of microbiology.

Bacteriology uses BACTEC 9050 for rapid blood culture giving far higher isolation rate than manual culture method. Mini API (Biomerieux) gives accurate identification and susceptibility result of bacteria.
TB lab uses BACTEC 460 TB system for rapid culture of mycobacterium.
Mycology lab banks on Mini API for accurate identification and sensitivity test of Candida.

The microbiology department is recognized as a center of excellence offering diagnostic services, infection control programs and research. The laboratory processes variety of clinical specimens of patients suffering from common and serious infections to identify the microbe and help in treatment. As an innovation driven team, we are able to offer a wide range of high quality microbiology services, from routine bacterial and fungal cultures to mycobacterial cultures and antibiotic and antifungal sensitivities. Direct microscopy is done on relevant specimens by gram stain, modified and standard Ziehl Neelsen stain, KOH and India ink (for fungal infections) which help in providing rapid initial information about the microbes.

BACTERIOLOGY : Equipped to culture samples like blood (in suspected cases of typhoid and sepsis), pus or tissue (in cases of skin and soft tissue infection), urine (in urinary tract infections), faeces (for diarrhoea), sputum (for pneumonia) , throat swab (for tonsillitis) and other specimens for severe infections of bone, nervous system etc. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests for isolated organisms help in guiding the antibiotic therapy.