Regional Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory(VRDL)
The Viral Diagnostic Laboratory (Grade I) of Biosafety Level-2 was established in the year 2010,as a part of ICMR’s Virology network laboratories to create viral diagnostic capacity which was lacking in deferent parts of the country & to enhance research activities on important viral diseases in this region. Such a facility was felt essential to provide immediate diagnosis to suspected viral diseases emerging as epidemics and pandemics raising public health concern. Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1/2009 investigation is an example of this for which the centre acted as the regional reference laboratory for the state of Odisha.
The laboratory is equipped with the infrastructure and expertise necessary for viral diagnostics and research covering the broad range viruses having potential for human disease. They include Arthropod borne, airborne; enteric transmitted viruses as well as those transmitted through blood and body fluids. The facility includes identification of viruses like Chikungunya, Dengue , JEV, Rota ,Adeno, Astro, Noro, Entero, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B,C and D and E, Measles, Varicella ,Rubella, Mumps, HSV-1, HSV-2,HSV-6, HSV-7, Parvovirus B19, EBV, CMV, HPV, Chandipura Influenza A, H1N1& B, Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and 4 ,Corona , HMPV (A and B), RSV (A and B ),Rhino, Adeno, Entero , Parecho & Bocavirus
Besides, seromolecular diagnostics, genotyping and DNA/RNA sequencing; the centre maintains various cell lines and viruses grown in cell culture. Centre has a collection of mammalian and mosquito cell lines like C6/36, Vero, MDCK,LLC-MK2, A-549 , HEP2 & RD. Presently laboratory has the facility for detection and confirmation of HSV, Dengue, Measles, Rubella, Influenza A through this technique
The major contribution made by the above facility towards public health in the short span of 2 years is identification of emerging viral infections and agents of epidemics and pandemics, like Swine flu, Chikungunya, Dengue, Chandipura virus encephalitis, Hand Foot and Mouth disease in children etc.
The centre is currently focussing on epidemiology and research on vaccine preventable diseases like, Measles & Rota virus diarrhoea in children, Rubella in women of child bearing age, Hepatitis B infection in Tribal population etc. that will cover studies on disease prevalence and severity, susceptibility to infection and protection, alternative vaccine candidates and mass immunisation strategy.
