Government of West Bengal

Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research

Centre of Excellence in Medical Education & Research

Microbiology
FACULTY

Prof. Dr. Raja Ray, DTM&H, MD (Microbiology), PhD Professor and Head of the Department
Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, MD (Microbiology) Professor
Prof. Dr. Chitrita Bhattacharyya Chattopadhyay, MD(Microbiology) Professor
Dr. Hirak Jyoti Raj, MD (Microbiology) Associate Professor
Dr. Nupur Pal, DCH, MD (Microbiology) Associate Professor
Dr. Hasina Banu, MD(Microbiology) Assistant Professor
Dr. Dipankar Paul, DCH, MD (Microbiology) Assistant Professor
Dr. Rehena Sarkar, MD (Microbiology) Assistant Professor
Dr. Abirlal Sanyal, MD (Microbiology) Demonstrator

Senior Residents (of 2019-22 session)

Dr. Arunima Chakravarty
[Link] Mistry
Dr. Arijit Baidya (transferred to North Bengal MCH on 20/11/2022)
Dr. Sahelee Chandra (transferred in from RG Kar MCH on 19/11/2022)

Senior Residents (of 2018-21 session)

Dr. Hossain Najma Banu –transferred to Barasat Medical College and Hospital, June, 2022
Dr. Ananda Sanchayeeta Mandal—transferred to Uluberia Medical College and Hospital, June, 2022
[Link] Pal—transferred to BSMCH , released on 21/03/2022

CMO/SR (of 2017 to 2020 session)

Dr. Namrata Jain, MD Microbiology (CMO/SR)—transferred to Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, July,2022
Dr. Mohana Chakraborty, MD Microbiology (CMO/SR)—resigned from CMO/SR post, July, 2022

Postgraduate trainees

Session 2022-2025 Session 2021-2024 Session 2020-2023

Dr. Abhinandita Sarkar Dr. Suhita Sur Dr. Rituparna Sinha
Dr. Jyoti Mishra Dr. Md Asif Akhtar Dr. Subhalakshmi Gupta
Dr. Sanchari Bairagya Dr. Shreya Chaudhuri Dr. Paulami De
- Dr. Moumita Mallick Dr. Debalina Nag

Research scholars and non-teaching staff

Ms. Archi Ghosh PhD scholar, 2018 onwards (Calcutta University)

Mrs. Rehena Parveen PhD scholar, 2018 onwards (Calcutta University) Recently submitted PhD thesis
[Link] Sinha PhD scholar, 2018 onwards (Calcutta University) Recently submitted PhD thesis

TRANSFERS, POSTINGS AND SUPERANNUATIONS

Name & Qualifications Designation
Dr. Namrata Jain, MD Microbiology – transferred out to Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital CMO/SR
Dr. Mohana Chakraborty, MD Microbiology – resigned from CMO/SR post, July,2022. CMO/SR
Dr. Sayan Pal, MD Microbiology — transferred to BSMCH MD Microbiology SR
Dr. Ananda Sanchayeeta Mandal, MD Microbiology — transferred to Uluberia Medical College and SR
Hospital, June, 2022
Dr. Hossain Najma Banu MD, Microbiology – transferred to Barasat Medical College and Hospital, SR
June, 2022
Dr. Arijit Baidya – transferred to NBMCH on 20/11/2022 SR
Mr. Subrata Biswas – superannuated on 29/09/2022 MT-Lab
Mr. Uttam Kumar Das – transferred to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital MT-Lab
Mr. Pranab Chakraborty – services getting utilized presently at SDLD OPD MT-Lab
Mr. Prakash Ghara – transferred to Pathology, IPGMER and SSKM HOSPITAL) MT-lab
Mr. Pradyut Naba Barua – transferred to SNPH) Group D

NONTEACHING AND PROJECT STAFFS

I) Medical Technologist: 1 Mallika Dubey Bhabataran Manna(on deputation to Trauma Care Centre since 1st
August,2019) [Link]. Subrata Biswas (superannuated on 29/09/2022)3. Sourav Ghosh [Link]
Kundu 5. Prasanta Ghose 6. Mr. Uttam Kumar Das (transferred to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital)6.
Mr. Arup Bara i7. [Link] Bhattacharya 8. Mr. [Link]. Anik Roy 10. Mrs. Maitrayee Guha
[Link] Ray (Total 11,including VRDL Lab)

II) Group D staff: [Link] 2. Rama Dutta(to retire on 31st January,2023) 3. Sunny
[Link] (transferred to SNPH) 5. Sambhu Nath Pal (Total 4 from next year)

III) IDSP and National Vactor Borne Disease Control Program

Nodal Officer Prof Dr Raja Ray, Shri Biswanath Das is working as Executive Assistant (Facility) of IDSP,NVBDCP.

IV) AIIMS-CDC-ICMR Project staff- Ujjaini Roy (JRF), Sani Safi (DEO, CDC-AIIMS project), PI-Prof Dr Raja [Link]-
PI-Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj.

V) VRDL Staff: PI, Project-Prof. Dr Raja Ray. Co PI-Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj
Dr. Raja Ray (Research Scientist, Medical), Dr Aritra Biswas(Research Scientist, Non- medical) , ,[Link] Adak and
Ms Payel Dutta (LabTechnicians under VRDL project) Miss Moumita Maity(Multi-Tasker).

VI) AMRSP-ICMR Project-PI (Prof Raja Ray), Co-PI-Prof Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj,Ms Swati
Ganguly (MT,Lab), Mr Pradip Bala(DEO).

VII) NVHCP under NHM.-Nodal Officer, State Referral Lab (Prof Dr Raja Ray),Co-PI-Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj,Technical
Officer-Dr Ananya Pal, PhD.

VIII) Sentinel Surveillance for Zoonotic Diseases-under NCDC and NOHCP-PCZ-PI-Prof Chitrita Chatterjee

IX) MucormycosisHub, IPGMER-Chairperson-Prof Kumkum Bhattacharyya funded by Govt of West

Bengal

XI) Evaluation of different In-house developed fasidios Anaerobic broths as culture media and their use
in cost-effectie manner – Ex HOD,IPGMER,PI and Co-PI respectively Prof P.K. Maity and Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj,
Associate Professor (Completed,Feb 2022)

X) Project Research Fellow & PhD scholars:Moonmoon Sinha, Rehana Parveen, ArchiGhosh.

FACULTY NEWS
Prof. Raja Ray, HOD, Microbiology

1) Course coordinator for MD Microbiology, MBBS Microbiology since beginning role as Professor in the department.
Organizing seminars including selecting topics of current day importance in Microbiology and recent advances, organizing
journal clubs, organizing classes for MD students. Training postgraduates on reporting of laboratory reporting in the realm
of diagnostic stewardship Organizing mock tests and daily interaction with postgraduates MD Microbiology students on
clinical microbiology issues along with other departmental faculty Regularly took theoretical lecture classes in MBBS on
critical areas like Introduction to Microbiology, Growth, Physiology and Metabolism of microbes, Classification of Bacteria,
Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Syphillis, Malaria, Filariasis Immunology, AIDS, etc. Taking classes for DMLT and B. Sc Nursing
students and Post-basic B. Sc Nursing students.
2)Guiding MD thesis of WBUHS, Microbiology and PhD thesis of candidates(Calcutta University)(currently two completed and
one registered and working).Guided summer/winter short-term projects of MSc candidate(Microbiology, Biotechnology)
(external candidates/externs( Saint Xaviers, ,Techno India etc.) Recently served as a guide for completion of summer
internship project titled as 'Prevalence Of Viral Hepatitis Types Among Suspected Cases Attending A Tertiary care Hospital
And In-Vitro Diagnosis By screening And Confirmatory Methods'01/04/2020 31/03/2021
3)Convenor and Internal examiner of MD Microbiology of August 2021 andApril-June,2022, Convener and Internal Examiner
2nd MBBS Microbiology 2021. External & Internal Examiner of BSc Nursing August 2021 and 2022. Paper setter MBBS
Microbiology January 2021 and MD Microbiology,March,2021 and for 2022
4) Adjudicator of 3 MD thesis in Microbiology under WBUHS December,2022
5) 8publications ,5 national & 3 international during the period under review
6) Maintained functioning status of 5 central government funded projects at IPGMER, Microbiology-(1.
VRDL(includingCOVID-19)-Establishment of a Network of Laboratories for managing epidemics and Natural Calamities
funded by DHR-ICMR) Lab, IPGMER), [Link], [Link], 2 .CDC-AIIMS), NVHCP(National HealhProgramme) and two state
govt programmes-IDSP,NVBDCP,
7) The first was Viral research and Diagnostic Laboratory(DHR-ICMR) as Principal Investigator under which testingforeleven
viruses in addition to Hep-A, Hep-B,Hep-C,Hep-E,IgMAnti-HBc,Anti- HBs [Link] screening
forToxoplasma,Rubella,CMV,Herpes Simplex 1,2, Varicella Zoster,Epstein Barr Viruses testing kits by Microelisa
[Link] Hepatis viral range and Hepatis profile like IgMAntiHBc,Anti-Hbs,HBeAg and AntiHBe
[Link] COVID19 Lab has started functioning under VRDL Lab since 17.03.2020 with permission from DG-
ICMRand currently testing more than 7 lakh,19thouand(aprox) samples tested till date(30 th November,2022).Equipment like
-80 deg Deep Freeze,-20 deg Deep freeze,RT-PCR instrument(4 donated by UNICEF) RefrigeratedCentrifuge,the rest
provided by Govt of West Bengal,WBMSCL.
8) The second project-AIIMS-CDC-ICMR funded project entitled" Capacity building and Strenghthening ofHospitalInfection
Control to detect and prevent antimicrobial resistance in India initiated in our hospital as Principal Investigator along with
Co-PI,DrHirak Jyoti Raj,under which surveillance of hospital infection respect to [Link] in ITUs,ICUs has been
strenghthened plusCLABSI prevention tool kit has been initiatedas Quality assurance initiative to cut down on CLABSI rates
at ICUs .Under the extended version of the project which commenced in December,2022 CS-SSIs and VAP are to be
included under [Link] discs and MIC Agar dilution screen for Vancomycinresistance in Staph and Enterococci
introduced and MICmicroBroth dilution for Colistin initiated methods under AST.
9)”Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Project initiated as Principal Investigator wherein IPGMER has been selectedas West
Bengal Regional Centre for Antimicrobial resistance surveillance“under which cumulative antibiogram data acquisition and
formulation of Antibiotic policy for clinicians has been initiated and achieved by June,2021 last year and is continuing this
year .In addition, endorsement of Hospital Infecion Control Committee by hospital authorities, ongoing analysis of
cumulative antibiogram data and new phenotypic screening,confirmatory and special tests likeColistin Broth Microdilution,E-
Test for Oxacillin-Vancomycin Agar Screen, have already begun and [Link] project will terminate in February,2023
10) Antimicrobial StewardshipImplementation Project,(ICMR) a sister project of AMRSP which commenced in March,2019
and is continuing-benefits are constructing hospital antibiogram to guide clinicians in choice of [Link] June
2021,Hospital Antibioticpolicy was published and distributed amongst clinicians of this institute for serving as a guide to
rational antibiotic [Link] hundred fifty beds in different wards and ICUs are under AMSP-Implementation project where
Prof Asim Kundu is PI and Prof Dr Raja Ray is Co-PI
11) Important roles/responsibilities. 1) Member secretary of Hospital infection control committeeconstituted by MSVP
01/04/2020 31/03/202102 and re-constituted by Director,IPGMER in August,2022. Member of rapid response team under
secretary (PHP) andMD(NHM), Dept of Health & Family Welfare under order ofDME01/04/2020 31/03/20210 Member,Rapid
Response Team for COVID 19 01/04/2020 31/03/202104.
12) Member of expert committee of Medical Board constituted byMSVP, Kolkata Member of the PhD committee of IPGMER
along with the otherresponsibilities. Continuing to function as Principal Investigator in the following projects : 1)Viral
Research and Diagnostic Centre,DHR-ICMR,at IPGMER(Medical College Level VRDL)2)Principal Investigator of the
"ICMR,West Bengal RegionalCentre for Antimicrobial Resistance" 3) PrincipalInvestigator ofAIIMSCDC-ICMR collaborative
project on"CapacityBuildingandStrenghthening of Hospital Infection Control to detect andtreat Antimicrobial resistance
inIndia"4)Nodal Microbiologist,IDSPandNVBDCP,IPGMER,KolkataInaddition took responsibility as
13) In Charge Lab testing of CB-NAAT/TRU NAAT(NTEP) fortuberculosis testing under collaboration with PulmonaryMedicine
department) In addition, took charge as Co-PI in the Antimicrobial Stewardship ImplementationProgramme commenced
since August,2019 7)In addition took charge as Nodal Officer,StateReferralLaboratory,National Viral Hepatitis Control
Programme.8) Currently, Lab In Chargeof COVID 19 Testing Lab a at IPGMER under approval from DG-ICMR since
March,2020 01/04/2020 to 31/03/2021and continuing.
14) Member,Skill Lab Committe, MEU, IPGME&R.
15) Activately participated in the PI meeting on AMRSP project held at RamalingaswamyBhawan,ICMR,New Delhi on1st
September,2022 .
16) Actively participated in the AMSP Implemntation Data Entry Meeting on November,25 th,2022 as Co-PI at IPGMER
17) Data validation and i-AMRSS Workshop on 5th December,2022 under ICMR-AMRSP project.
18) Organized three MT Lab training workshops and 8 Medical Officer orientation workshops organized during the period
Dec,2020 till Nov,2022(Prof Raja Ray,DrHirak Jyoti Raj,Dr Hasina Banu,Dr Dipankar Pal,Dr Nupur Pal,Prof Kumkum
Bhattacharryya Dr Anaya PAL-Technical Officer,NVHCP)
19) Actively participated in the 2nd PI Meeting of 2nd Phase of AIIMS-CDC Project funded by CDC,Atlanta,Georgia on
November 7th,2022 as part of the Global Health Security Agenda Project at Ramalingaswamy Board Room,AIIMS,New
Delhi,2022
20) Actively involved in sending MDRO strains to Nodal Centres for creating genomic database of drug-resistant genes in
these organisms of our institute.
21) Member,ExpertCommittee,NAP-AMR,NMC(appointed by Chaiman,NAP-AMR,NMC,New Delhi for designing teaching tools
and designing curriculum for training healthcare professionals and students on basic knowledge of antimicrobial resistance.
22) Participted as resource faculty and Speaker at the ICMR sponsored Antimicrobial StewardshipImplemntationProject
Workkshop jointly organized by Dept of Critical Care Medicine and Microbiology on 29 th September at IPGMER for
Clinicians,PDTs,PGTs,Nurses
23) Actively participated as Co-0rdinator in the panel discussion at the State Level Meet the occasion of “World
Antimicrobial Awareness Week” 23 rd NoNovember,2022
24)Received Training on”Laboratory Management System and Internal Auditor” as per ISO 15189:2012 Stds at Centre For
Quality Initiative,Kolkata(CQI Certificate No:IRQS/220100579)
25) Served as Speaker and Resource Faculty at the Regional Review and Revisioning Workshop” on NVHCP-NHM-WHO
Project where delivered a presentation on :Transmission and Preventon of Viral Hepatitis) held at Taj City
Centre,Workshop,Rajarhat on 9th and 10th December,2022
26) Submtted a project proposal as Co-PI along with Prof Asim Kundu(PI) to West Bengal,DSTon”Implementation of
Diagnostic Stewardship at tertiary care SuperspecialityhospitalfromKolata:a pilot study”
27) Completed Basic Course in Biomedical Rsearch(NPTEL,Mandatory training under NMC) in April,2022
28) Member,Tender Selection Committee of Institute(vide order noInst/4072 dated 18/8/2021
29) Member,Expert Committee for inspection of infrastructure and manpower at Jagannath Gupta Meical
Sciences,December,2021 and Hospital,Budge Budge and also at BP Poddar Hospital and Research Institute for commencing
DMLT facilities in April,2022
30) Participated in Live Webinar on”Mutant Strains-Spread,Scale and Virulence” in June,2022
31) Attended the Regional Review Meeting for Eastern and North-Eastern States on 14th and 15th July,2022 at Kolkata at
Fairfield, Marriott under NVHCP in the capacity of Nodal Officer, State Referral Lab.

Prof. Kumkum Bhattacharyya

1) Acted as the Chairperson and Convenor of Mucormycosis multidisciplinary team, May, 2021 onwards.
2) Member of Institutional Bio-safety Committee(IBSC), IPGME&R.
3) Co-Investigator in AMRSP project under ICMR.
4) Presently acting as Consultant Microbiologist, Department of Microbiology

Prof. Chitrita Bhattacharyya Chattopadhyay

1) Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of the department.
2) Guide of ongoing MD thesis works.
3) External examiner of MD Microbiology in Silchar.
4) Guide of short project of BSc and MSc Microbiology and Biotechnology students
5) Nominated for Training personnel for the execution of concept of Centre of Excellence of Pediatric Tuberculosis.
6) Prepared the new curriculum for Microbiology for IPGMER (UG) under NMC guidelines.
7). Prepared the new curriculum for Microbiology(BSc & MSc) for WBHU
8). Nodal person (PI) for “Sentinel Site” (IPGMER & SSKM Hospital) for “National One Health Programme for Prevention and
Control of Zoonotic Diseases”.
10) Attended training on Fire Safety.

Dr. Hirak Jyoti Raj

1) Regularly took theoretical lecture classes in MBBS on critical areas like Bacterial identification,Immunological tolerance
and autoimmunity, Transplant immunology, Dysentery and diarrohoea,Blod stream infection, Hospital acquired infection,
gas gangrene-tetanus, parasitology (Echinoicoccosis, nematodes), virology-Rabies, JE, etc. Taking classes for DMLT and
B. Sc Nursing students and Post-basic B. Sc Nursing students.
2) Guiding MD thesis of WBUHS,Microiology.
3) Acting as Co-Guide of one MD thesis.
4) Acted as reviewer of MBBS examination under WBUHS.
5) Publication one Published and two accepted for publication as of now.
6) Acting as Co-Investigator of 5 ongoing central government funded projects at IPGMER,Microbiology

• VRDL(includingCOVID-19)-Establishment of a Network of Laboratories for managing epidemics and

Natural Calamities funded by DHR-ICMR,IPGMER),
• AMRSP funded by ICMR- Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Project initiated as Co- Investigator
wherein IPGMER has been selected as West Bengal Regional Centre for Antimicrobial resistance
surveillance.
• AMSP funded by ICMR
• Capacity building and Strenghthening of Hospital Infection Control to detect and prevent
antimicrobial resistance in India –A Project of HAI Surveillance and prevention- funded by CDC, ATLANTA,
USA. PI-Prof Raja Ray – Performed regular ICU rounds for vigilance of HAI surveillance.

7) Completed one R&D project funded by WBDST as co-investigator. PI- Prof PK Maiti.
8) Published a book as Author : Quest Microbiology- for UG students-2nd edition. Academic Publisher, Kolkata.
9) Acted as paper setter of 2ND PROF. MBBS EXAM(Microbiology ) for Tripura University.
10) Participated as resource faculty and Speaker at the ICMR sponsored Antimicrobial Stewardship Implementation Project
Workshop jointly organized by Dept of Critical Care Medicine and Microbiology on 29 th September at IPGMER for Clinicians,
PDTs, PGTs, Nurses
11) Acted as resource person and Organizer in the TRAINING WORKSHOP under NVHCP- 2 EPISODES IN THE PERIOD OF
REVIEW
12) Acting as focal person of NVHCP-IPGME&R –SRL
13) Actively participated in the workshop of 2nd Phase of AIIMS-CDC Project funded by
CDC, Atlanta, Georgia on November 14 th &15th ,2022 as part of the Global Health Security Agenda Project at India habitat
Centre, New Delhi,2022
14) Actively participated in the regional REVIEW meeting of NVHCP- WB, INDIA Chapter-organized by WHO at New Town
Taj-City centre.
15)Data validation and i-AMRSS Workshop on 5th December,2022 under ICMR-AMRSP project- attended.
16) Acted as Examiner in 2nd Professional MBBS exam under WBUHS, SSUHS-Assam(External Examiner). 17) Acted as
external examiner in BDS exam at RIMS, Ranchi under RANCHI UNIVERSITY.
18) Guided summer/winter short-term projects of MSc candidate(Microbiology, Bio-Technology)(external
candidates/externs(SXC,Techno India, MAKAUT etc).
19) Acting as Lab In-charge for ongoing NABL accreditation procedures in Dept of Microbiology under VRDLM activities,
along with Dr Hasina Banu and able guidance of Prof Dr Raja Ray.

Dr Nupur Pal
1) In-charge of Mycology & Mycobacteriology Lab, Co-incharge of CBNAAT Lab.
2) Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of the department.
3)Guide &Co-Guide of ongoing MD& Post doctoral thesis works.
5) Examiner of DMLT examination(WBSMF).
6) External examiner of MBBS examination(WBUHS)
7) In-charge of short project of BSC and MSC Microbiology and Biotechnology students.
8) Member of RNTCP Core Committee(IPGMER)
9) Principal Investigator of MRU Project titled “Evaluation the antifungal effect of safe, biocompatible serum capped silver
nanoparticle on clinically important Candida isolates.”
10) Principal Investigator of RNTCP OR Project titled “Role of Interferon Gamma Release Assay versus Tuberculin Skin Test
for effective diagnosis of latent tuberculosis among children aged 5-14 years having high risk and household contacts of
pulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital”
11)Member of state AMR containt cell, Swasthya Bhavan.

Dr. Hasina Banu

1) Involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of the department.
2) Involved in COVID-19 laboratory duties under the aegis of VRDL, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20, since
February, 2021.
3) Supervisor of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20, since March, 2021.
4) Examiner of DMLT examination(WBSMF).
5) Scrutinizer in DMLT Examination (WBSMF).
6) Guided summer/winter short-term projects of MSc candidate
7) Co-Guide of ongoing MD thesis works (Microbiology & Gynecology)
8) ) Acted as Guide of STS-ICMR projects of One MBBS student .
9) Acting as Technical Manager for ongoing NABL accreditation procedures in Dept of Microbiology under VRDLM activities,
along with Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj and able guidance of Prof Dr Raja Ray.
10) Actively participated in the regional REVIEW meeting of NVHCP- WB, INDIA Chapter-organized by WHO at New Town
Taj-City Centre.
11) Acting as focal person of NVHCP-IPGME&R –SRL
12) Acted as resource person and Organizer in the TRAINING WORKSHOP under NVHCP- 2 episodes in the period of review

Dr. Dipankar Paul

1) Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of the department like conducting theory and practical
classes for M.B.B.S., [Link]. Nursing, D.M.L.T. courses and routine laboratory diagnostic activities including bacteriology,
serology, parasitology and mycology.
2) Involved in COVID-19 laboratory duties under the aegis of VRDL, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20, since April,
2020.
3) Conducted sensitization programme on “ Universal/ standard precaution for the health-care worker” for the MBBS
Freshers on 4.3.2022 .
4) Conducted sensitization programme on “Microbiological sample collection & transport” for the newly-joined interns on
25.5.2022 & 31.5.2022 .
5) Guided Arpita Khamrai , Summer Intern from MAKAUT, W.B. on a project titled “ Performance of rapid antigen test in
comparison ton real-time RT-PCR in diagnosis of COVID-19 infection—a short study” ( from 7.2.2022 to 7.7.2022)
6) Serving as the Nodal officer (for SSKMH) with respect to RAT for COVID-19.
7) Participated in CME on “ Tuberculosis: recent update and emerging challenges” held on 23.3.2022 at AIIMS,
Bhubaneswar.
8) Attended TROPACON-2022 ( National Conference On Tropical & Parasitological Diseases) conducted by IATP,WB Chapter
on 23.09.2022 – 24.09.2022.
9) Guided Dr. Shreya Choudhuri, PGT, Microbiology Dept. to present a poster at TROPACON-2022 titled “ Fasciola hepatica
infection: A rarely diagnosed neglected tropical disease”
10) Publication: Co-author of a original article titled “ Changing trends in COVID-19 positivity in Kolkata: a study based on
Rapid Antigen Testing in a teaching hospital” which is accepted for publication in the JK Practitioner.
11) Attended RBCW training at IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20 from 13/12/2022 to 15/12/2022.

Dr. Rehena Sarkar

1) Promoted to the post of Assistant Professor, Microbiology under WBMES and joined the Department of Microbiology,
IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20 on 30/11/2021 FN.
2) Involved in preparing theory and practical class rosters for MBBS students with consultation with HOD Microbiology.
3) Involved in preparing class rosters for [Link]. Nursing, D.M.L.T courses, BPT courses and DCLT courses with consultation
with HOD Microbiology.
4) Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of thedepartment like conducting theory and practical
classes for M.B.B.S., [Link], D.M.L.T. courses and routine laboratory diagnostic activities including bacteriology,
serology, parasitology and mycology.
5) Guided Priti Maity , Summer Intern from MAKAUT, W.B. on a project titled “ A Study on Bacteriological profile and Anti-
microbial Susceptibility Pattern of wound samples collected from patients attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata( from
7.2.2022 to 7.7.2022)
6) Involved in COVID-19 laboratory duties under the aegis of VRDL, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20, since joining
in the Department in 30 th November, 2021.

Dr. Abirlal Sanyal

1) Acting as Serology section in charge, April, 2022 onwards.
2) Acting as Nodal Officer for Dengue (from Microbiology) July, 2022 onwards.
3) Attended ‘International River Congress’ under the aegis of SAIARD, Salt Lake, Kolkata , December end, 2021,
accompanied by Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Professor, Microbiology, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital
4) Acted as a co-Guide of paper presented at ‘International River Congress’ by Dr. Subhalakshmi Gupta, Postgraduate
trainee, Microbiology which won the ‘best paper’ prize, under guidance of Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Professor,
Microbiology, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital.(December, 2021)
5) Underwent training for ‘Basic Course in Biomedical Research’ (Cycle 5) under the aegis of NIE-ICMR, Chennai and
successfully cleared the examination.
6) Took active part in Mycological evaluation and diagnosis of COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis under guidance of Prof.
Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Professor, Microbiology, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital; manuscript for publication nearing
completion.
7) Acted as a Guide and co-Guide of STS-ICMR projects two Final year MBBS students in carrying out and drafting under
guidance of Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Professor, Microbiology, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20:
1.“Knowledge attitude practice and associated factors towards infection prevention among health care workers of
a tertiary care hospital” ( Sounak Sinha, Dr. Abirlal Sanyal, Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya)
2.“A clinico-microbiological study of urinary tract infections in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of tertiary
level hospital with special reference to antimicrobial susceptibility” (Soham Basu, Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya,
Dr. Abirlal Sanyal)
Both the projects have been submitted at ICMR-STS for consideration.

8) Acted as the guide for a short project of two MBBS interns : “A questionnaire based study of knowledge attitude
practices among healthcare workers with respect to rising trends in antimicrobial resistance at a tertiary care hospital in
Eastern India (Achyut Kanungo, Darshna Dutta, Dr. Abirlal Sanyal, Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya) .
9) Acted as the Guide for project titled “A study assessing burden of parentarally transmitted viral hepatitis detected by
screening method with special reference for surgery.” By Ms. Ena Kundu. ([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) .
10) Was involved in arranging MD practical examinations, 2022, with other faculty members.
11) Presently carrying out day to day academic and laboratory activities of the department, including UG teaching and
examination of MBBS, Nursing, DMLT students.
12) Acted as scrutinizer of 2nd Professional MBBS examinations (both old and new regulations) held in the year 2022.
13) Involved in maintaining stock of kits in Serology section along with SMIS indent and co-ordination with store etc.
14) Acted as a mentor in different Orientation programmes of MBBS interns and fresh MBBS students of this institution in
2022.

Dr. Arunima Chakravarty:

Passed MD examination on 5th July 2022 and posted as Senior Resident in the department of Microbiology, IPGMER &
SSKMH, Kol-20.
1. Involved in invigilation duties during various MBBS and DMLT examinations.
2. Involved in preparing rosters for DMLT classes.
3. Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of thedepartment like conducting
theory and practical classes for M.B.B.S, D.M.L.T. courses and routine laboratory diagnostic activities including
bacteriology, serology, parasitology and mycology.
4. Involved in supervising various duties in COVID-19 related VRDL duties.

Dr. Puskar Mistry

Passed MD examination on 5th July 2022 and posted as Senior Resident in the department of Microbiology, IPGMER &
SSKMH, Kolkata-20.
1. Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of thedepartment like conducting theory and
practical classes for M.B.B.S, D.M.L.T. courses and routine laboratory diagnostic activities including bacteriology,
serology, parasitology and mycology.
2. Involved in preparing rosters for DMLT classes.
3. Involved in invigilation duties during various MBBS and DMLT examinations.
4. Involved in supervising various duties in COVID-19 related VRDL duties of IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital Kolkata
5. Presented in Foundation day of IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20

Dr. Sahelee Chandra

Joined as Senior Resident in the department of Microbiology, IPGMER & SSKMH, Kolkata-20 on 19th November, 2022.
1. Presently involved in day to day academic and laboratory activities of thedepartment like conducting
theory and practical classes for M.B.B.S, D.M.L.T. courses and routine laboratory diagnostic activities including
bacteriology, serology, parasitology and mycology.
2. Involved in preparing rosters for DMLT classes.
3. Involved in invigilation duties during various MBBS and DMLT examinations.
4. Involved in supervising various duties in COVID-19 related VRDL duties of IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital Kolkata

ACADEMIC ACTIVITY

1. Teaching and organizing examinations of MBBS, MD,DNB, DMLT, BPT, DCLT, B Sc Nursing.
2. Organizing Journal club, Seminars, Lecture Classes and guiding thesis for MD & Ph D candidates.
3. Organizing summer and winter projects for M. Sc./BSc ( Microbiology/ Biotechnology) students of different
reputed colleges of [Link] Amity University, Techno India,St. Xavier’s and also other states, approaching our
institute.
4. Inter-departmental advisory role in issues relating to Hospital Infection Control, Antibiotic Policy/Antibiogram /
integrated teaching.
5. Participating in Medical Boards as Subject experts .
6. Participating in State, National and International Conferences related to the subject of Microbiology.
7. Poster presentation at TROPACON, 2022- “A comparative study of intestinal coccidian parasitic infection in
HIV/AIDS Patient presenting with diarrhea and without diarrhea” Dr. Moumita Mallick,
8. Guide- Prof Dr. Chitrita Chatterjee, Dr. Nupur Pal, Associate professor microbiology: Prof Dr. Raja Ray HOD
Microbiology
9. Poster presentation at TROPACON, 2022: Dr. Shreya Chaudhuri, PGT, Microbiology Dept. titled “Fasciola
hepatica infection: A rarely diagnosed neglected tropical disease” Guide-Dr Dipankar Paul, Assistant Professor.
Microbiology, Dr. Yogiraj Ray, Associate Prof, ID, SNPH, Prof Raja Ray,HOD, Microbiology

PUBLICATION BY FACULTY, STUDENTS AND RESEARCH SCHOLARS

1. N Pal, D Nag, J Halder, A Biswas, R Ray, A Hazra, C Chatterjee, Impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 infection:
Experience from a tertiary care hospital ,Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 28th February, 2022;15 (2):
[Link] 11th August,2022
2. Pal N, Ray R ,Akthar N, , Maiti PK. Chronic urinary tract infection by biofilm producing Mycobacterium abscessus
following a post traumatic laparotomy wound infection. Annals Medical. Science and Research, Published 23rd
3. A Systematic Review on disinfection, airborne precautions and biomedical waste management for prevention of
infection by SARS CoV 2:Current evidences and adoptable practices in healthcare settings".Journal of Medical
and Allied Sciences2021,11(1)..Print 31st January,2021 ISSN:2231 1696 Online ISSN :
[Link],[Link], 2022([Link]/amsr)
4. Nupur Pal, Rituparna Sinha, Raja Ray, Arunima Chakraborty, Hasina Banu, Supratim Dutta. A rare case of
Histoplasma and Cryptococcus Co-infection in an Immunocompetent Child. J NTR Univ Health Sci
2022(accepted)
5. Evaluation of clinical response and bactericidal efficacy after application of Super- oxidized solution and Povidone
Iodine in the healing of pressure ulcers Indian Journal of Applied Research. Journal DOI:10.36106,Print ISSN
No.2249-55x(International Journal).Vol 11,Issue 9,Sept -December 2021,Pg 42-45
6. Mathur Purva, Guleria Randip, Walia Kamini ,Ray Raja, Jyoti Raj Hirak,et al. "Assessment of core capacities for
antimicrobial stewardship practices in Indian hospitals: report from a multi-centric initiative of global health
security agenda. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. [Link]-[Link] online:20/1/2021
7. In-vitro antiviral action of Eupatorium perfoliatum against dengue virus infection: Modulation of mTOR signaling
and [Link] 9 September 2021 0378-8741/© 2021 Published by Elsevier [Link] of
Ethnopharmacology 282 (2022) 114627 Moonmoon Sinha , Urmita Chakraborty , Anirban Kool , Mousumi
Chakravarti , Souvik Das , Sandip Ghosh , Lovnish Thakur , Anil Khuranna , Debadatta Nayak , Biswarup Basu ,
Subhabrata Kar , Satadal Das,Raja Ray
8. ShreyaSingh, NupurPalb1 RamanSardana BellaMahajan NoyalJoseph ArunalokeChakrabarti ShivaprakashM.
Rudramurthy et al. Current perspective of adrenal histoplasmosis in India: A prospective study in a tertiary care
hospital, Eastern India Indian J Med Microbiol([Link]
9. Mandira Chakraborty1, Hasina Banu2*, Manoj Kumar Gupta3. Epidemiology and Antifungal Susceptibility of
Candida Species causing Blood Stream Infections: An Eastern India Perspective. The Journal of the Association
of Physicians of India,2021; 69. 11-12 1 ,
10. Mamta Chawla Sarkar, Harsha Raheja, Nidhan K Biswas, Sohini Chakraborti, Animesh Kumar Singh, Shekhar
Ghosh, Sumanta Sarkar, Subrata Patra, Rajiv Kumar Mondal, Trinath Ghosh, Ananya Chatterjee, Hasina
Banu, Agniva Majumdar, Sreedhar Chinnaswamy, Narayanaswamy Srinivasan, Shanta Dutta, Saumitra DAS.
Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA identified in Eastern India: Possible implications for the ongoing outbreak in
India and impact on viral structure and host susceptibility. Journal of Biosciences,2020; 45. 10.1007/s12038-020-
00046-1.
11. A questionnaire-based study of knowledge attitude practices among healthcare workers with respect to rising
trends in antimicrobial resistance at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India” (Achyut Kanungo, Darshna Dutta,
Dr. Abirlal Sanyal, Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya) submitted in Sepember, 2022for publication in Nepal
Journals Online (NepJOL).
12. Banu HN, Bhattacharyya K, Totad RD, Raj HJ, Determination of Minimun inhibitory Concentration is more
informative than disc diffusion for decision making purpose: A studyon the case of urinary tract infection from a
tertiary care hospital opf easter India. Al AmeenJ Med Sci 2022:15(4): 285-294.
13. Study of Hepatitis C prevalence at a tertiary care centre by serological and molecular testing for
detection,treatment,follow-up by viral load testing”.Dr Ashish Ghos,Dr [Link],Dr Mahiuddin Ahmed,Dr
Raja Ray submitted in the journal”KLEU,Karnataka(Indian Journal Of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research)in
August,2022
14. Raj HJ, Paul D, Hazra A, Ray R, Changing trend in Covid-19 positivity in Kolkata. A Study based on rapid antigen
testing in a teaching hospital. JK Practitioner 2022:27(4):(Accepted for Publication )JK Practioner in October-
December issue of the journal.

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITY OF SRs and SCHOLARS

• Dr. Arunima Chakravarty, [Link] Mistry, Dr. Arijit Baidya appeared and passed the MD Microbiology
examinations, May-June, 2022. They joined as Senior Resident at this department in the month of July, 2022.
• Dr. Debalina Nag, 3rd year post graduate trainee attended XVI NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF INDIAN ACADEMY
OF TROPICAL PARASITOLOGY in 2022.
• Dr. Subhalakshmi Gupta, 3rd year post-graduate trainee the paper titled “RIVER, MAN, MICROBIOME: ETERNAL
AND EVOLVING TRIAD OF ONE HEALTH INITIATIVE” at ‘International River Congress, organized by South Asian
Institute For Advanced Research and Development (SAIARD) presented by Dr. Subhalakshmi Gupta,
Postgraduate trainee, Microbiology won the ‘best paper’ prize, acted as the co-guide of the same along with
Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Professor, Microbiology, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital in [Link]. Gupta
attended MICROCON and presented a poster titled “non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli causing blood-stream
infection with emphasis on minimum inhibitory concentration at a tertiary care hospital.”
• Dr. Gupta attended XVI NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF INDIAN ACADEMY OF TROPICAL PARASITOLOGY in 2022.
Dr. Gupta will be going to attend the NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON MEDICAL MYCOLOGY, JIPMER, PUDUCHERY,
Dec, 2022.
• Dr. Gupta has active involvement in M.B.B.S PRACTICAL classes, BPT and DCLT theory classes. (2021 and 2022)
• She is involved in Anti-microbial Resistance surveillance programme under Govt. Of West Bengal.
• Dr. Paulami De, 3rd year post-graduate trainee attended e-MICROCON-2021 and presented a e-poster titled “ A
RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AND ITS VARIATIONS IN POST-
RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.” (co-authored by Dr. Gaurav kumar
Khandelwal, Dr. Abirlal Sanyal, Dr. Hirak Jyoti Raj, Associate Professor, Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya,
Professor, Microbiology, Dr. Arpita Raychaudhury, Professor, Dept. of Nephrology, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital,
Kolkata-20.)
• Dr. Paulami De attended XVI National Conference Of Indian Academy Of Tropical Parasitology in 2022.
• Dr. Rituparna Sinha, 3rd year post-graduate trainee attended XVI NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF INDIAN
ACADEMY OF TROPICAL PARASITOLOGY in 2022.
• Dr. Sinha has active involvement in M.B.B.S PRACTICAL classes, BPT and DCLT theory classes. (2021 and 2022)
• She is involved in Anti-microbial Resistance surveillance programme under Govt. Of West Bengal.
• Dr. Suhita Sur ,2nd year post graduate trainee attended ICMR- workshop on implementation of antimicrobial
stewardship programme in various tertiary care centre across India held on 28/09/2022.
• Involve in conducting the class of BPT student of batch 2021
• Dr. Md Asif Akhtar ,2nd year post graduate trainee attended ICMR- workshop on implementation of antimicrobial
stewardship programme in various tertiary care centre across India held on 28/09/2022.
• Involve in conducting the class of BPT student of batch 2021
• Dr. Shreya Chaudhuri ,2nd year post graduate trainee attended ICMR- workshop on implementation of
antimicrobial stewardship programme in various tertiary care centre across India held on 28/09/2022.
• Involve in conducting the class of BPT student of batch 2021
• Dr. Moumita Mallick ,2nd year post graduate trainee attended ICMR- workshop on implementation of
antimicrobial stewardship programme in various tertiary care centre across India held on 28/09/2022.
• Involve in conducting the class of BPT student of batch 2021

MD Thesis submitted (September, 2022):

1. Role of serial estimation of Ct value in
assessment of clinical prognosis of a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Rituparna Sinha, Guide : Prof. Dr. Raja
Ray(2020-2023).
2. Study of antifungal susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates of various Candida species with special reference to
conventional and automated methods, in a tertiary care hospital. Dr. Paulami De, Guide : Dr. Hirak Jyoti Raj, other Guides:
Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Prof. Dr. Raja Ray (2020-2023).
3. Sero-prevalence and demographic profile of Scrub typhus and the contribution of the same with respect to Acute
Encephalitis Syndrome in a tertiary care hospital. [Link] Nag, Guide: Dr. Chitrita Chattopadhyay Bhattacharyya, other
Guide: Dr. Nupur Pal(2020-2023).
4. Microbiological profile of blood stream infection patients with special reference to antimicrobial resistance detected by
various methods at a tertiary care hospital. Dr. Subhalakshmi Gupta, Guide: Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, other Guides
: Dr. Prof. Avijit Hazra. (2020-2023).

Ongoing MD Thesis works:

5. Study of clinico-microbiological and
epidemiological correlates of patients of ventilator associated pneumonia in critical care unit of a tertiary care hospital,
Kolkata : Dr. Suhita Sur, Guide: Prof. Dr. Raja Ray,HOD, Microbiology. Other guides: Dr. Hirak Jyoti Raj, Associate Professor,
Microbiology: Dr. Asim Kundu, HOD,Critical care, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata-20.
6. Study of the prevalence of latent
tuberculosis among children aged 5-14 years in high-risk group and household contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis in
a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata : Dr. Md Asif Akhtar, Guide: Dr. Nupur Pal Associate professor, Microbiology : Prof. Dr. Raja
Ray, HOD Microbiology . Co-guide- Proff Dr. Mrinal kanti Das ,dept of paediatrics: Proff Dr. Amitava Sengupta,HOD Chest
medicine at IPGME&R
7. Study to detect female genital infections
by Chlamydia trachomatis among women of reproductive age group attending Gynaecology and Obstetrics department in a
tertiary care hospital in eastern [Link] Shreya Chaudhuri [Link]. Kumkum Bhattacharyya, Dr. Hasina Banu
Assistant professor, Microbiology:Prof Dr. Subhash Chandra Biswas, Professor and HOD, Dept. of Gynaecology and
Obstetrics.
8. A descriptive cross-sectional study on
the occurence and prognostication in schizophrenics with toxoplasmosis in a tertiary care centre in eastern India. Dr.
Moumita Mallick Guide- Prof Dr. Chitrita Bhattacharya Chattopadhyay, Dept of microbiology: Prof Dr. Amit Kumar
Bhattacharya, Professor and Head, Institute of Psychiatry-COE.

Ongoing PhD works and activities of PhD scholars:

1) Rehana Parveen Registered for PhD Microbiology at the University [Link] “Preparation and evaluation of
antimicrobial silver nano-particles using conventional and novel bio-compatible agents”. Guide: Prof. PK Maiti. Recently
submitted her PhD thesis.
2) Archi Ghosh Registered for PhD Microbiology at the University of Calcutta. “Study for correlation between physical and
antimicrobial assay for some nano-antimicrobial agents”; Guide: Prof. PKMaiti Ms Archi Ghosh participated in ‘Applied
Nanotechnology and Nanosciences International Conference” held on 24th March-26th March, 2021, at Paris, France. Paper
presented titled “Characterization and in-vitro hemolysis evaluation of carboxy-methyl cellulose(CMC)-capped nanoparticles
(Ms. Archi Ghosh, Dr. Mahua Ghosh Chaudhuri(JU), Prof. [Link], Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya). Ms. Ghosh presented
a paper titled “Characterization of anti-microbial nanoparticles by physical parameters and antimicrobial assay” (Ms. Archi
Ghosh, Dr. Mahua Ghosh Chaudhuri(JU), Prof. [Link], Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya) on 65th Foundation day of
IPGMER and SSKM Hospital.
3) Ms. Moonmoon Sinha recently submitted her PhD thesis in Calcutta [Link] thesis entitled”Evaluation of the Role of
Eupatorium perfoliatum extract against HEPG2 and primary hepatic cell lines .Guide:Prof Dr Raja Ray,Co-Guide:Dr Satadal
[Link] accepted and submitted to internal and external experts for [Link] Viva defense after final
submission.

SHORT PROJECTS
1) Identification and antimicrobial
susceptibility testing with special reference to determination of MIC of clinical isolates in a tertiary care hospital”
Soumyadeep Biswas (Integrated [Link], KIIT, Odisha) under Prof. Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya (August-September,
2021)
2) “Correlation between HBV-DNA and
HBeAg with the biomarkers of liver in chronic hepatiis B patient in a teriary care hospital” Ms. Seena Basu ([Link]
Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Prof. Dr. Chitrita Bhattacharyya Chattopadhyay.
3) “Prevalance of Carbapenem resistance
among ITU patients along with demographic pattern”. Ms. Anwesha Adhikari ([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under
guidance of Dr. Nupur Pal .
4) “Comparison of demographic pattern
among Carbapenem sensitive and resistance in IPD and OPD patients” Ms. Triparna Roy (MTech Biotechnology,
BITS, Mesra, Ranchi) under guidance of Dr. Hasina Banu
5) “Urine culture and antimicrobial
stewardship” Asish Biswas(Msc Microbiology) under guidance of Dr. Hasina Banu
6) “Antifungal effect of novel silver
nanoparticle on Candida spp” Shreya Saha ([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Dr. Nupur Pal
7) “Epidemiology of Dengue fever in pre
and post covid era in West Bengal” Shilpi Mandal ([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Dr. Hasina Banu.
8) “Efficacy of fosfomycin on MDR isolates
in ICU set up in Tertiary care Hospital” Oindrila [Link] Microbiology under guidance of Dr. Nupur Pal
9) “Performance of rapid antigen test in
comparison to RTPCR in diagnosis of COVID-19 [Link] Khamrai([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance
of Dr. Dipankar Paul.
10) “Study on bacteriological profile and
AST pattern of wound sample collected from patient attending in aTertiary care [Link] Maity([Link]
Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Dr. Rehena Sarkar..
11) “A study assessing burden of
parentarally transmitted viral hepatitis detected by screening method with special reference for surgery.” Ena Kundu.
([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Dr. Abirlal Sanyal.
12) “Burden,predictor and knowledge of
leprosy among patients attending dermatology OPD in Tertiary care hospital.
13) “A study on biomarkers of hepatitis
patients attending OPD and IPD in Tertiary care hospital” Gargi Halder, ([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance
of Prof Chitrita Chattopadhyay.
14) “Determining bacteriological profile of
blood culture isolates from suspected patients of sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata and their
antibiogram.”Saptati Pyne([Link] Microbiology,MAKAUT) under guidance of Prof [Link].
15) “Diagnostic stewardship of UTI in a
Tertiary care hospital”Ritujoy Chatterjee,Msc Microbiology under guidance of [Link] Bhattacharyya.

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 AND OTHER SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Department of Microbiology,IPGMER,Kolkata pioneered the testing for SARS CoV 2 in BSL 2 Lab(under VRDL Lab,DHR-
ICMR) in West Bengal along with NICED,[Link] per recognition of DG-ICMR, Covid 19 lab started functioning from
March,2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and served the KMC area, Non-KMC areas including South 24
pargans,North 24 Pargans,Howrah,Hooghly,West and east Midnapore,West and East Burdwan Subsequently our
laboratory trained lab techs and faculty from different new up and coming RT-PCR Labs all over West Bengal(thirty
labs),thus helping the state government to decentralise the testing process all over the state. Our Covid-19 lab
participates in EQAS INITIATED BY NIV,Pune and NICED,Kolkata.
• Our VRDL Covid 19 lab is entrusted with RNA extraction kit validation and RT-PCR kit validation as and when required
by WBMSCL.
• Our VRDL lab staff(Dr Raja Ray,Medical Scientist,Dr Aritra Biswas,Non-medical Scientist,Dr Jayeeta Halder(Research
Assistant),and PI and Co-PI-Prof Dr Raja Ray, Dr Hirak Jyoti Raj have worked tirelessly throughout the entire period of
last two years, subsequently all faculty including Prof Kumkum Bhattacharya, Prof Chitrita Chatterjee,Dr. Nupur
Pal,[Link] Pal, SR Dr Abirlal Sanyal, MD(PGTs),Research associates and Lab techs Swati Ganguly, Rajesh Adak,
Payel Dutta, Prasanta Ghosh, Subrata Biswas, and lab techs subsequently joined, DEOs Sani Safi, Pradip Bala,KMC
DEOS-Saikat Ray and his team, and staff from from other departments like
Pharmacolgy,Endocrinology,SDLD,Surgery,Pathology,Biochemistry and MRU,PGTs,DEOs all joined in the fray. The
contribution of Prof Mitali Chatterjee,HOD,Pharmacology,Dr Soma Banerjee,Associate Professor,Hepatology(SDLD),Prof
Abhijit Chowdhury,Professor,Hepatolgy,Dr Simanti Dutta,Associate Professor,SDLD is acknowledged with deep sense of
gratitude.
• Prof Dr Raja Ray was selected Member,Expert Committee,Lab testing Experts by Principal Secretary,Health and still
continues to serve in that capacity.
• IPGMER,Covid 19 lab participates in genome sequencing studies of SARS CoV 2 strains twice a month with
NIBMG,Kalyani with Dr Aritra Biswas serving as Nodal officer
• IPGMER,Covid 19 lab participates twice a month in Sentinnel Surveillance of Covid 19 lab for tracking prevalnce and
demarcating micro-containment zones for epidemiologic measures to be taken by Swasthywa Bhawan with Prof Raja
Ray as Nodal Officer
• Prof Dr Raja Ray was nominated for the”Chikitsa Jyoti award” on Doctor’s day for his pioneering contribution to
laboratory diagnostics of SAS CoV2which he recieived on 6 th January,2021(Sambad Pratidin)
• The laboratory-Total number of cases tested by RT-PCR till date 5,79,542 and is continuing uninterrupted 24x7x365
even on Sundays and public [Link] departmental faculty hereby acknowledge the whole hearted support of the
Hospital administration and the Department of Health and Family Welfare for making this patient care service available
to the people of West Bengal totally free of cost and providing financial support throughout.
SERVICE INFORMATION

Tests done in Microbiology Laboratory: 01/12/2021 to 30/11/2022

(Total =345410)
Bacteriology in 2022 ( Total = 59577 )
SAMPLE Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Urine 2147 2552 2889 2560 2785 3239 2899 3176 3085 2637 3238 2210 33417
Throat swab 6 3 6 3 5 7 2 2 4 0 2 4 44
Wound/Pus 174 239 265 302 268 327 295 351 285 257 363 221 3347
Blood C/S (Conven.) 129 204 203 198 204 250 250 276 248 251 235 193 2641
Blood C/S (Automated) 106 117 131 139 184 162 189 133 179 190 214 127 1871
Body fluids 67 84 125 129 125 147 128 135 153 130 147 74 1444
Sputum 174 232 299 243 244 282 274 357 289 295 383 268 3340
Other swabs 4 5 12 10 21 8 5 11 22 18 29 7 152
CSF 15 8 14 26 33 25 29 17 32 47 30 17 293
OT swab 821 590 665 589 740 2579 1710 1760 929 981 881 656 12901
Stool culture and 0 6 11 17 10 6 0 4 0 1 2 0 57
Investigation of
outbreaks
Grand Total 59507

Special cases Approximately samples from 70 candidates for transplantation for Culture and AST of 70
(ECMO, Transplant Blood, ET aspirate, Urine received.
etc.)

Mycology and Mycobacteriology in 2022 (Total= 9680 )

TEST Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Fungal stain 47 40 47 55 42 59 48 45 55 58 53 43 592
Fungal
25 32 37 35 35 24 30 32 29 35 34 27 375
culture
AFB culture 77 79 88 83 86 78 85 89 75 82 80 74 976
CB-NAAT 42 1 104 135 264 259 293 334 249 315 433 168 2597
TRUNAAT 223 256 254 315 320 296 197 263 318 188 0 197 2827

Slit skin 30 32 35 25 37 30 32 36 31 30 32 28 378

smear

12 12 11 13 18 12 9 11 13 12 10 10 143
India Ink

150 148 145 155 152 150 159 147 142 149 156 134 1787
AFB stain
5 cases
with
suspect
ed
Suspected
Mucor
Mucormycosi 5
mycosi
s cases
s
investig
ated in
2022
Grand total 9680
Serology in 2022 ( Total= 104024)

TEST Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec-21 Total
RA 190 181 217 211 223 214 230 221 213 201 229 195 2525
ASO 69 73 63 65 61 81 65 77 79 84 88 78 883
CRP 129 105 116 119 112 132 146 121 149 155 151 125 1560
Widal test 30 25 34 20 25 34 40 34 35 37 40 41 395
Typhidot IgG/IgM 35 35 36 34 26 38 41 33 34 38 39 35 424
VDRL 405 389 395 399 403 415 421 398 409 439 445 345 4863
HbsAg (by ICT) 2617 3054 3895 4046 2874 3657 3607 3693 4078 4114 4231 3355 43221
Anti-HCV(by ICT) 2800 3001 3555 4002 2802 3661 3504 3601 4001 4002 4203 3001 42133
Mantoux
87 101 68 102 139 148 111 98 167 85 140 89 1335
Test
Dengue IgM ELISA 81 78 69 85 72 61 158 175 265 264 458 315 2081
Dengue NS1Ag
96 84 78 91 94 84 208 215 292 310 484 365 2401
ELISA
JE IgM ELISA 13 7 10 25 6 8 11 32 22 8 8 15 165
Scrub Typhus IgM
41 45 57 88 106 104 164 177 185 204 230 52 1453
ELISA
Chikungunya IgM
0 0 2 0 2 0 1 4 4 1 18 8 40
ELISA
Leptospira IgM 17 16 20 37 48 62 78 45 0 0 54 33 410
Special tests
(transplantation 4 2 4 2 3 102 1 3 2 4 6 2 135
cases)
GRAND TOTAL 104024

Tests under VRDL in 2022 (Total= 167597 )

TEST Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec-21 Total
HAV 90 86 75 70 68 78 90 100 85 50 75 75 942
HEV 90 86 75 70 68 78 90 100 85 50 75 7 874
HBeAg- 175 200 186 169 185 190 200 175 175 140 166 180 2141
Anti- HBe[ EIA] 175 200 186 169 185 190 200 175 175 140 166 180 2141
MicroELISA anti-HBs
15 20 27 23 10 16 25 21 15 5 10 17 204
titre
HSV1 and HSV2
296 264 388 376 320 388 372 300 350 253 292 320 3919
IgG,IgM
MicroELISA VZV
20 32 38 28 22 34 24 30 28 18 24 30 328
IgG,IgM
MicroELISA EBV IgG
2 4 3 6 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 21
IgM
MicroELISA CMV
136 150 148 164 136 146 198 158 174 110 146 166 1832
IgG,IgM
RT-PCR for SARS-CoV 2 37491 20242 14176 6768 4656 8306 12838 9675 6276 3388 3431 27074 154321
TORCH Panel 62 75 61 63 14 26 41 42 38 29 57 14 522
H1NI RT-PCR 5 8 10 10 8 5 6 10 14 15 9 0 100
ZIKA RT-PCR 41 47 44 20 18 22 10 10 10 10 10 10 252
GRAND TOTAL 167597
Tests under NVHCP in 2022 (Total= 4532 )
TEST Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec-21 Total

HCV-RNA
67 79 110 98 98 144 140 124 111 83 104 102 1260
RT-PCR

HBV DNA
Quantitative 160 204 256 243 306 372 298 309 312 276 289 247 3272
assay
Grand total 4532

N.B.: Tests done in Central Lab during evening & night shifts are not included. Tests for HIV done in ICTC; Malaria
partly done in Pathology deptt. under Malaria clinic.

Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R)

VRDL (Medical College Level), Dept. of Microbiology (Annual Achievements Summary)

Sl No. Test Done by ELISA Total test (Jan, 2022-10th Dec, 2022)
1 HAV 493
2 HEV 493
3 HbeAg 1794
4 Anti-HBe 1794
5 Anti –HBs titre 204
6 HSV1 and HSV2 IgM, IgG 3919
7 VZV IgM, IgG 328
8 CMV IgM, IgG 1832
9 EBV IgM, IgG 17
10 Torch panel 522
11 Scrub Typhus 1469
12 Dengue NS1 2401
13 Dengue IgM 2081
14 JE IgM 165
15 Anti HBc 42
16 VZV IgM 39
17 VZV IgG 39
18 Chikungunya IgM 42
Sl No. Test Done by RT-PCR Total test (Jan, 2022-10th Dec, 2022)
1 COVID-19 1,28,170
2 Influenza panel (H1N1) 102
3 Zika 252
4 RubellaIgG,IgM 314

IPGME&R-VRDL is one of the best performing and leading VRDLs in India. Starting from 2017, our VRDL with skilled
medical & non-medical personnel catering to the needs of the a huge number of patients as IPGME&Ris best known
as medical leaning and research centre of excellence and as a tertiary level super-speciality hospital in West Bengal
and also in Eastern India.

IPGME&R-VRDLhas well equipped for serological and molecular analysis. Our laboratory provides facilities like ELISA
for diagnosis of various pathogens and also conventional and real time PCR for diagnostic as well as research
purpose.

Our VRDL is first medical college level lab to start COVID-19 test and also provided training to thirty other VRDLs and
hospitals in our state under specific instructions from DME ,DHS of Health and Family Welfare Department to
diagnose this deadly virus by RT-PCR in West Bengal. During the COVID-19 pandemic situation, our VRDL performed
RT PCR test in 24x7 modeto generate test results as early as [Link] VRDL at IPGMER was the first State Govt
Institution to get permission for commencement of SARS CoV 2 testing by validated RT-PCR method(NIV,Pune)We
have also participated in the sentinel surveillance programme co-ordinated by Director, Public Health,Govt of West
Bengal for a whole one year during the waning phase of the pandemic of asymptomatic patients to explore the
epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with the collaborations of health department of Govt.
of West Bengal.

From January 2022 totill 10th December 2022, we have conducted 1, 28,170(Out of total 7, 19,808) COVID-19 RT-
PCR and 9,234(Out of total 54,931) COVID-19 Antigen [Link] VRDL performed tests for other virological diseases
by ELISA and RT PCR method are presented in the following table.

Most of the viral test parameters are uploaded in NIE portal (Dengue, JE,Scrub Typhus,Chikungunya uploaded in
IDSP portal). Besides testing,our VRDL is also participated in the nationwide validation of kits(RNA extraction kit, RT
PCR Kit and antigen detection kit) of COVID-19during this period both from state and Central Govt supplied kits
though DG Drugs Control,Eastern Zone and Swasthywa Bhawan .

During the outbreak of dengue and H1N1 virus in this year, IPGME&R-VRDL had spread its hands for screening and
diagnosing the Dengue viruses by ELISA (NS1and IgM) and H1N1 with influenza panel by real time PCR method.
Our VRDL has always maintained a score of 90 % -100 % during the external quality assurance of COVID-19 and
other serological tests. Till now 5 publications(4 national and one international) and have done so far and 2
manuscripts are submitted for publication in recent [Link] date 5 different CME/Workshop had been conducted to
Sensitize Medical Officers, Lab techs and other associated administrative personnel about clinical and laboratory
diagnosis of viral diseases.

Our VRDL Lab contributed to the All India Genome sequencing database studies by sending SARSCoV 2 positive
samples to NIBMG,Kalyani through STM,[Link] a centre of excellence,all suspected Covid 19 samples of
distinguished,VIP,State Administrative personnel,Central Ministers,Central Administrative Ministers,Sportspersonnel
during football tournaments, Cricketing personnel during Cricketing tournaments whenever important visits and
events occur in our state also participated in EQAS of NIV,Virology for SARS CoV 2 and are still continuing to.

When IPGMER was selected as Regional Centre for Organ Transplantation, our VRDL took pioneering initiative in
screening for Transplantation panel- CMV,Epstein Barr,Herpes Simplex,Varicella Zoster,Toxoplasma,Rubella by
[Link] we include IgManti HBc and Anti-HBs as per requirement of donor and transplant patients
When the DHR-ICMR project,Congenital Rubella Syndrome Surveillance project commenced, our VRDL started
screening pregnant mothers(314 till date) and new- borns for congential Rubella since October,2022.

Our Department started screening for pregnant mothers for TORCH and Hep B,C since last one year as part of
linkage with ANC mother screening and with NVHCP.

Our Department would be greatly benefitted if we can initiate AES panel and Viral Respiratory panel in our repertoire
to serve suffering patients and meet demand of clinicians