Enteric and Invasive Disease Laboratory
Background:
The Enteric and Invasive Disease Laboratory (EIDL) focuses on the surveillance of pathogens associated with diarrhea and enteric fevers by facilitating detection, identification, and characterization of enteric bacterial pathogens. The laboratory actively participates in investigation and response to enteric disease outbreaks (including food and water borne disease outbreaks). The EIDL is the reference laboratory for enteric bacteria and viruses. The laboratory conducts the National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to all the laboratories with microbiological services. In addition, the laboratory serves as the custodian of the biorepository center of AMR bacterial isolates for human health.
Testing Capacity:
- Detection and identification of enteric pathogens
- Perform antimicrobial susceptibility tests on enteric bacterial pathogens
- Conventional PCR for Diarrheagenic E-Coli
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for enteric viruses and parasites
- Leptospirosis culture and detection of its serovars
- NEQAS for AMR
Ongoing Activities:
- Laboratory-based sentinel surveillance on enteric diseases and AMR
- Sentinel surveillance on Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (Leptospirosis)
- Support epidemic/outbreak investigation
Who do we work with/Projects:
- Fleming Fund Grants Programme, UK Department of Health, on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Human
- Ministry of Health
Malaria Reference Laboratory
Background:
National Malaria Reference Laboratory (NMRL) oversees the quality assurance on malaria diagnosis by conducting the National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS). Malaria molecular testing is also carried out on every positive and certain percent of reactive case detection(RACD) samples received from health centers. The laboratory provides molecular investigation reports to the Vector Borne Disease Control Program (VDCP), Ministry of Health and respective health centers to improve malaria diagnosis and enhance malaria surveillance and responses.
Testing Capacity:
- Malaria microscopy
- NEQAS for malaria diagnosis
- Molecular test using nested PCR for malaria diagnosis and confirmation
Ongoing Activities:
- NEQAS for Malaria diagnosis
- Molecular test for diagnosis and confirmation of malaria
Who do we work with/Projects:
- Bhutan operational research for Malaria Elimination collaborative project between AMPEN / Menzies and VDCP / RCDC / Ministry of Health.
- Ministry of Health
Virology and Molecular Laboratory
Background:
Virology and Molecular laboratory (VML) conducts and provides scientific evidence for respiratory disease outbreak investigations and responses. VML conducts COVID-19, Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance besides molecular detection of emerging respiratory pathogens. VML conducts and supports epidemiological and laboratory research to prevent and control diseases and syndromes caused by respiratory pathogens.The laboratory also provides scientific evidence on the use of viral vaccines and other prevention measures.
Testing Capacity:
- Detection and molecular characterization of Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2
- Molecular confirmation for Measles and Rubella
- Molecular serotyping for dengue virus
- Virus culture for influenza virus
Ongoing Activities:
Who do we work with/Projects:
- Sentinel Human Surveillance for Influenza in Bhutan with Armed Force Research Institute for Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) in Bangkok, Thailand
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US
National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory
Background:
National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory(NTRL) provides scientific information on Tuberculosis (TB) and supports diagnostic services in the country. NTRL works in close collaboration with the National TB Control Program (NTCP) at the Ministry of Health to address the burden of TB and Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases in the country. NTRL conducts annual laboratory based nationwide drug resistance surveillance since 2010. In addition, other mandates include quality assessment of AFB microscopy and new diagnostic technology introduced in the country. The laboratory develops and reviews guidelines on laboratory diagnosis of TB .
Testing Capacity:
- Microscopy (Light and Fluorescent Microscopy)
- National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) for TB Microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF.
- Phenotypic culture and Drug Sensitivity Testing for Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary samples for TB (Solid using LJ Media, Liquid using BACTEC MGIT 960).
- Molecular Test using Line Probe Assay (For First Line & Second Line anti TB Drugs)
Ongoing Activities:
- Drug Resistance Surveillance for Pulmonary TB
- Culture and DST for Extra Pulmonary TB and VISA samples.
- Monitoring health centers for AFB microscopy
Who do we work with/Projects:
- SupraNational TB Reference Laboratory, Bureau of TB, Thailand
- Ministry of Health
- SAARC TB & HIV Center
Immuno-Serology Laboratory
Background:
Serological tests are increasingly being used as tools and as an aid for diagnosis of many infectious diseases. They provide a strong back hold on public health and disease epidemiology. The laboratory provides scientific information on infectious diseases that are of public health concern through active surveillance and operational research. The laboratory is also recognised as the National Reference Laboratory for measles and rubella and acts as a confirmatory laboratory for HIV. The laboratory is the custodian of the serum bank built up for evaluating diagnostic test kits for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis ‘B’ and ‘C’.
Testing Capacity:
- Confirmation of HIV, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, hepatitis B and C.
- Diagnosis of infectious diseases (measles, rubella, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya, scrub typhus, leptospirosis, pertussis and COVID-19).
- Quality assessment of Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTI)/ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) serology for laboratories in the country through NEQAS program.
- Performance evaluation of test kits for rapid serology of TTI/STI.
Surveillance/Ongoing Activities:
- Nationwide surveillance for measles and rubella
- Sentinel surveillance for acute encephalitis
- Dengue sentinel surveillance
- Surveillance for Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI)
Who do we work with/Projects:
- Ministry of Health
- Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA)
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Thailand
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS), India
- National Institutes of Biologicals (NIB), India
- National Institutes of Virology (NIV), India