Department of Microbiology

Introduction & Departmental Work:-

🔹 The Department of Microbiology, SNMMCH Dhanbad, plays a crucial role in medical education, diagnostic services, public health, and laboratory training. The department provides academic teaching and hands-on practical training to MBBS students, paramedical students, and also offers laboratory training to M.Sc. and Ph.D. students of BNMKU and other universities.

🔹 During the COVID-19 pandemic, the department made exceptional contributions by conducting lakhs of RT-PCR tests. The laboratory continues routine and advanced diagnostic testing for vector-borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Japanese Encephalitis. Routine services also include culture testing of urine, pus, blood, and other body fluids.

🔹 The department runs the ICTC Laboratory for HIV diagnosis. Through the State Referral Laboratory (SRL) under the department, ICTC and PPTCT centers across Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Sahebganj, Dumka, Deoghar, Giridih, and Godda receive training, EQAS support, and technical supervision.

Laboratories and Infrastructure:-

The Department is equipped with:

🔹 BSL-3 Culture & DST Laboratory for MDR/XDR Tuberculosis diagnosis using solid and liquid culture systems.

🔹 BSL-2 Molecular Biology Laboratory with Real-Time RT-PCR platforms.

🔹 Bacteriology Laboratory

🔹 Parasitology Laboratory

🔹 General Microbiology Laboratory

Equipment includes:

🔹 06-sample Real-Time RT-PCR machines

🔹 4 Automated Nucleic Acid Extractors

🔹 Refrigerators, centrifuges, micro-centrifuges, and other necessary instruments.

🔹 200+ monocular and binocular microscopes for teaching and diagnostics.

Special Diagnostic Services:-

The department conducts a wide range of advanced microbiological tests, including:

🔹 Leprosy Microscopy

🔹 Montoux (Tuberculin) Test

🔹 Hepatitis B Viral Load (RT-PCR)

🔹 Hepatitis C Viral Load (RT-PCR)

🔹 ELISA-based Hepatitis B testing (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc)

🔹 ELISA-based Hepatitis C testing (anti-HCV)

🔹 Other ELISA-based infectious disease diagnostics

Patient Care and Free Testing:-

Using its expertise and infrastructure, the Department of Microbiology provides all microbiology diagnostic tests free of cost. Approximately 200 patients are tested daily under various diagnostic services.