Welcome to the Department of Microbiology

Since its inception in the year 2009, under the leadership of founder HOD, Dr. Nitin Barua Sir, the Department of Microbiology has been significantly contributing to the health care services of Middle Assam by rendering all tertiary care level Microbiological tests that is now anticipating NABL accreditation in the nearest future. The laboratory is running all Microbiological tests 24X7 along with the Microbiology wing of the CCL section that functions from 2pm-8am every day. The Department of Microbiology JMCH has achieved 100% marks in External Quality Control of various tests in Bacteriology and Serology as of July,2021. Regular surveillance samples are tested from OTs and ICUs of JMCH as well as from various private hospitals in Jorhat and neighbouring districts. The laboratory is well equipped with most of the modern technologies including automated blood culture machines, VITEK machines, MiniVidas semiautomated machines, ELISA, PCR machines.

THE BIG FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC

The department of Microbiology has been actively involved in the continuous fight against the deadly SARS CoV2 virus since the saga of the COVID19 pandemic in Assam. It started way back in March 2020 when a Foreign traveller was found RTPCR positive in Bhutan after travelling from Jorhat. The faculties of the Microbiology department alongwith representatives from Medicine and Community Medicine, under the able guidance of The Hospital Superintendent cum PI & Nodal officer VRDL cum Associate Professor Dept. of Microbiology, Dr.Purnima Barua went for collection of samples from quarantined travellers from The M.V.MAHABAHU Cruise ship that was stationed in the midst of the mighty Brahmaputra with more than 50 passengers. Although none of the passengers tested positive, however, this venture announced the arrival of COVID19 in Assam.

SOME GLIMPSES FROM THE FIRST VENTURE

When the whole nation was locked down completely, the frontliners started their fight against this COVID19 pandemic. In the month of April, 2020, all the faculties of the Department of Microbiology started training of staffs and various categories of healthcare givers starting from Cleaners and Ambulance drivers to the faculties of all the Departments in JMCH as well as from the peripheral health care centres of Jorhat. Microbiology led teams of faculties went out to all neighbouring districts like Golaghat, Sivasagar, Majuli, Charaideo to give training regarding all IPC protocols including hand hygiene, donning and doffing of PPE, Biomedical Waste disposal, disposal of linens, household and hospital cleaning protocols, respiratory etiquettes, patient management at various levels of health care etc, to gear up for the impending threat. Dr. Atanu Chakravarty, Dr. Angshurekha Das and Dr. Dweep Jyoti Baishya were members of the Master trainer team to give training to the trainers in the various neighbouring districts.

GLIMPSES OF A TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF TRAINING PROGRAMS TAKEN

The COVID19 pandemic has earmarked the VRDL Laboratory in the Department as one of the apex testing laboratories for testing of RTPCR samples from Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Charaideo. Samples are also referred from many other districts time and on. The VRDL laboratory is strongly equipped with 5RTPCR machines and 2 conventional machines. Alongwith an Annexe Laboratory, the VRDL department is significantly contributing to the control of the pandemic by testing more than 1500 samples per day. The VRDL team has tested samples upto 3000 per day working day in and day out during the peaks of the pandemic. Since the onset of the first wave in Assam in March, 2020 the Laboratory has completed more than 2,35,000 tests till the end of June, 2021 and is continuing to render its services 24X7.

The faculties of the Department of Microbiology have been actively involved in designing the COVID ward and ICU setup, keeping in view all the protocols to be followed as per standard guidelines and the IPC measures are looked after by regular surveillance and audit programs. The institutional Hospital Infection Control Committee has been formed last year with active involvement of our faculties including Dr. Purnima Barua as the Chairperson, Dr. Uttara Borkotoki as the Co Chairperson, Dr. Atanu Chakravarty as the Member Secy. And Dr. Binita Bhuyan as the Hospital Infection Control Officer of the HICC, JMCH. Surveillance samples from OTs and ICUs are also tested and appropriate modifications given at regular intervals. A multicentric Project has started with JIPMER regarding hand hygiene audits in COVID care locations wherein the PGTs of the Department of Microbiology are also actively involved in carrying out the audits everyday.

Besides, the Faculties of the Department of Microbiology including Dr. Bipanchi Mahanta and Dr. Angshurekha Das, under the able guidance of the Convener, NMC Regional Centre for Medical Education Technologies JMCH cum Member, NMC Expert Group on Implementation and Monitoring of the Competency based UG Curriculum, Dr. Purnima Barua, are actively involved in preparing the entire Phase II curriculum for the Undergraduate students according to the new NMC guidelines, including designing the master time table, routine for the students, GMER hour wise distribution of subjects, alignment, integration of all the subjects and preparing the clinical postings and clerkship for the students. The new AETCOM and PANDEMIC module classes that have been incorporated in the curriculum are actively organised by the Microbiology department alongwith time to time formative assessments for the Phase II students. The concerned faculties are also involved in screening all NMC related documents.

Sl. No.	Photo	Faculty Name	Designation	Qualification & Registration Number	Phone Number
1		Dr. Uttara Borkotoki	Professor & HOD, Co-Chairperson, HICC, JMCH	M.B.B.S., M.D. (Microbiology) 10966	9864023539
2		Dr. Angshurekha Das	Associate Professor, Deputy Superintendent, JMCH	M.B.B.S., M.D. (Microbiology) 16836	9435110402
3		Dr. Binita Bhuyan	Assistant Professor, Hospital Infection Control Officer, HICC, JMCH	M.B.B.S., M.D. (Microbiology) 18534	9577138721
4		Dr. Nayanjyoti Sarmah	Assistant Professor, Deputy Superintendent, JMCH	M.B.B.S., M.D. (Microbiology) 19868	9613111445
5		Dr. Prativa Sahu	Demonstrator	M.B.B.S., M.D. (Microbiology) 22556	9706515655

Permanent Staff

Contractual Staff

VRDL Staff

List of Post Graduate Trainees in Dept. of Microbiology

Research Activities

Ongoing Research Projects

1. DBT Project: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance in isolates from pediatric pneumonia cases in Assam.
   • Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Prof. (Dr.) Uttara Borkotoki
   • Co-Investigators (Co-I): Dr. Purnima Barua, Prof. (Dr.) Pranabjit Biswanath, Dr. Angshurekha Das
2. DHR, ICMR Project: Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL Project).
   • Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Purnima Barua
3. DBT Project: Generating awareness and assessing the magnitude of Paragonimiasis in Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.
   • Principal Investigator (PI): Prof. (Dr.) Mihir Kr Goswami
   • Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Dr. Purnima Barua
4. ICMR Project: Vaginal infection and its risk factors among women of reproductive age group with special reference to tea garden workers of Upper Assam: A case-control study.
   • Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Purnima Barua
   • Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PI): Prof. (Dr.) Uttara Borkotoki, Dr. Pranabika Mahanta
5. ICMR Project: Molecular Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection prevalent in hospitalized children below five years in a tertiary care hospital, Jorhat, Assam.
   • Principal Investigator (PI): Manab Narayan Baruah
   • Co-Investigators (Co-I): Dr. Purnima Barua, Prof. (Dr.) Pranabjit Biswanath
6. WHO Project: Sentinel surveillance of Influenza and Avian Flu in SARI cases.
   • Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Dr. Purnima Barua

Other Research Initiatives

• A multicentric project on hand hygiene audit in COVID care locations commenced on June 1, 2021.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

UG Seminars: (07)

1. Biomedical waste disposal - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
2. Importance of SWP & GLP and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) - Moderator: Dr. Purnima Barua
3. Hemoparasites with special reference to India: Lab diagnosis - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
4. Normal microbial flora - Moderator: Dr. Angshurekha Das
5. Laboratory diagnosis of intestinal nematodes (soil-transmitted nematodes) - Moderator: Dr. Dweep J Baishya
6. White patch in throat (D/D & approach to lab diagnosis) - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
7. Meningitis: Types, Aetiology, and Lab tools - Moderator: Dr. Angshurekha Das

PG Seminars: (Presenter - Dr. Anindita Patowary, PGT)

1. Common stains used in Parasitology and Mycology - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
2. History of Microbiology - Moderator: Dr. Purnima Barua
3. Growth, nutrition, and metabolism of bacteria - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
4. Coronavirus - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
5. Culture media for Bacteria - Moderator: Dr. Angshurekha Das
6. Culture media for Fungi - Moderator: Dr. Angshurekha Das
7. Sterilization - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
8. Disinfection - Moderator: Dr. Purnima Barua
9. Structure and Function of the Immune System - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
10. Cells of Innate Immunity - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
11. Cells of Acquired Immunity - Moderator: Dr. Dweepjyoti Baishya
12. Antimicrobial Resistance - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki

PG Seminars: (08) (Presenter - Dr. Mridusmita Borgohain, PGT)

1. Microscopy in Microbiology - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
2. Basic Concepts of Immunology - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
3. Bacterial Pathogenicity - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
4. Natural History of Infection - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
5. Normal Human Microbiota - Moderator: Dr. Dweepjyoti Baishya
6. Biosafety and Safe Laboratory Practices - Moderator: Prof(Dr). Uttara Borkotoki
7. Virus-Host Interaction - Moderator: Dr. Dweepjyoti Baishya
8. SARS CoV-2: Transmission and Pathogenesis - Moderator: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty

Services

Group Discussions

• Specimen Collection

Professional Service (September 2019 - August 2020)

• Routine Microbiological Surveillance:

  • Operation Theatres/Wards/ICUs – JMCH: 40, Outside JMCH: 11

• Total Tests Conducted:

  • Bacteriology: 9,309
  • Serology: Routine – 23,146, Emergency – 15,134
  • Virology: 227
  • Parasitology: 295
  • Mycology: 51
  • Ocular Mycology: 34

Awards & Achievements

Fellowship in Overseas/Inland Training of Teachers:

• Dr. Purnima Barua
  • Invited as a Guest Speaker at MESICON 2020 on Large Group Teaching (Theme: Innovation in Medical Education and Paradigm Shift), organized by Bankura Sammilani Medical College, West Bengal (14th-15th February 2020).
  • Invited as a Guest Speaker at APICON 2019 on Making the Most of Competency-Based Education, organized by Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati (28th-30th November 2019).
• Dr. Purnima Barua & Dr. Angshurekha Das
  • Received International Certification on Principles of Bioethics and Human Rights under the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, awarded by UNESCO Chair in Bioethics (Haifa) (17th September 2020).
• Dr. Binita Bhuyan
  • Participated in the 4th National Workshop on Hospital Infection Control (29th January-1st February 2020) organized by JIPMER, Pondicherry.
  • Attended a Workshop on Competency-Based Education at APPICON 2019.
• Dr. Nayan Jyoti Sharma, Dr. Binita Bhuyan, & Dr. Bipanchi Mahanta
  • Attended the Training of Trainers on Collaborative Research (6th December 2019) in Guwahati.
• Dr. Atanu Chakravarty (Associate Professor) & Dr. Binita Bhuyan (Demonstrator)
  • Temporarily posted at GMCH, Guwahati in July 2020 for COVID-19 duties at the VRDL Hilltop Laboratory.
• Dr. Dweep Jyoti Baishya (Assistant Professor)
  • Temporarily attached to GMCH, Guwahati for July-August 2020 for COVID-19 duties at the VRDL Hilltop Laboratory.
• Department of Microbiology
  • Actively involved in planning and designing the COVID Unit of the hospital and overseeing sample collection within the hospital and district.

Training: COVID-19

• Master Trainers:
  • Dr. Atanu Chakravarty, Dr. Angshurekha Das
• Trainers:
  • Dr. Dweep Jyoti Baishya, Dr. Bandana Thakuria, Dr. Geetumoni Sonowal, Dr. Binita Bhuyan, Dr. Bipanchi Mahanta
• Training Details:
  • Trained healthcare staff across five districts on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures.

Other Relevant Information

• External Quality Control Excellence:

  • The Department of Microbiology, JMCH, achieved 100% marks in External Quality Control for Bacteriology and Serology tests (July 2021).

• COVID-19 Testing and Laboratory Expansion:

  • RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 at VRDL, JMCH commenced on 17th March 2020.
  • A Molecular Biology Laboratory was established as an extended wing of VRDL for COVID-19 testing under the Government of Assam in July 2020 and became operational on 27th July 2020, functioning 24x7.
  • Total RT-PCR tests conducted (as of 10th July 2021): 238,633, covering samples from multiple districts in Assam and Nagaland.
  • Total COVID-19 positive cases detected: 10,218.

• Awards & Recognitions:

  • Pirbox Rafiqul Hussain was awarded the Dr. Nitin Barua Memorial Award for securing highest marks in MD Microbiology (May 2019, SSUHS).
  • Bhargab Pratim Borah (UG student) received the Dr. Nitin Barua Memorial Running Trophy for highest marks in Microbiology (2nd Professional MBBS, October 2019, JMCH).

• Accreditation Efforts:

  • The Department of Microbiology is preparing for NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation.
  • Documental procedures for accreditation have been completed.

• Hospital Infection Surveillance:

  • A New Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) and Infection Control Team (ICT) were formed on 12th May 2020.
  • Committee Members:
    • Chairperson: Dr. Purnima Barua
    • Co-Chairperson: Prof. (Dr.) Uttara Borkotoki
    • Secretary: Dr. Atanu Chakravarty
    • Faculty Members: Dr. Angshurekha Das, Dr. Dweep Jyoti Baishya
    • Infection Control Officer: Dr. Binita Bhuyan
  • The HICC oversees infection prevention measures and conducts training programs related to COVID-19.

List of Important Machinery

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:

1. Angshurekha, Das, Barua Purnima, Atanu Chakravarty, Uttara Borkotoki. "Introducing flipped classroom to undergraduate students in Microbiology." International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice, January 2020, 6(1):7.
2. Borgohain, P., Barua, P., Dutta, P.J., Shaw, D., Shivaprakash R. "Onychomycosis associated with superficial skin infection due to Aspergillus sydowii in an immunocompromised patient." Mycopathologia (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-019-00383-2.
3. Deka B., Borgohain P., Barua P. "Concomitant fungal infections in patients of Pulmonary Tuberculosis attending Respiratory Medicine OPD at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital." International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice, 2020; 6(1):58-62.
4. Borgohain P., Barua P., Mahanta J., Ram Saikia L. "Pestalotioid fungi: A rare agent of onychomycosis among agriculture workers." Current Medical Mycology, 2020; 6(2): 23-29. DOI: 10.18502/CMM.6.2.2839.
5. Dutta T., Barua P., Das A. "Introducing integrated learning in 1st year MBBS students." Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2019; 8(02): 121-128.
6. Singh S., Kalra J., Das S., Barua P., Singh N., Dhaliwal U. "Transformational learning for health professionals through a Theatre of the Oppressed workshop." Medical Humanities, 2019 Oct 14: medhum-2019.
7. Bora A.K., Mahanta B., Borthakur A.K. "Bacterial isolates obtained from tracheal aspirates of ICU patients and their antibiogram in a tertiary care hospital of North East India." Assam Journal of Internal Medicine, July 2020, 10(2).
8. Roy M., Dubey R., Goswami G., Sengupta P., Mahanta B., Teli A.B. "Levels of d-dimer in COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital: A case control study." International Journal of Scientific Research, 2021; 10(4).
9. Das A., Barua P., Mahanta P. "Impact of case-based learning in understanding Physiology." Journal of Medical Physiology, 2021; 11(7).
10. Borgohain P., Barua P., Mahanta J., Saikia L.R., Shaw D., Rudramurthy S.M. "Lasiodiplodia theobromae onychomycosis among agricultural workers: A case series." Journal of Medical Mycology, 2021; 31(3).