Other States - Puducherry

Training for microbiologists

PUDUCHERRY: The Department of Microbiology of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is organising a five-day hands-on-training programme on “Simple diagnostic methods in clinical microbiology” from November 25 to 29.

According to a release, the aim of the programme is to provide first-hand experience in simple diagnostic methods used in a clinical laboratory for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Around 25 participants including faculty members and junior microbiologists from over 15 States have been selected for training in the programme.

The participants would be trained in diagnoses of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and parasites using simple techniques. The exercises have been designed to help in rapid and correct diagnosis of common and emerging infectious diseases.

The programme would throw light on some of the commonly used molecular methods in clinical microbiology.

Advanced techniques such as polymerase chain reaction for amoebiasis, sodium dodecyl sulphate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting would be performed.

In addition, the programme would review some of the time tested techniques in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

The participants would be taught to screen for carriers of the “superbug” Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, one of the leading causes of hospital acquired infections in the world, the release said.

In all, 27 different topics such as diagnosis of tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis and rapid diagnosis of malaria would be covered,

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