Advanced Molecular & Diagnostic Research Centre For Fungi Inauguratd at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswr: An advanced molecular and diagnostic research centre for fungi, stated to be the first of its kind in eastern India, was inaugurated in the department of microbiology at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Renowned medical mycologist Prof Arunaloke Chakrabarti inaugurated the centre in the presence of Executive director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Prof Ashutosh Biswas.  The lab is set to act as a referral centre in eastern India.

The other dignitaries present during the inaugural ceremony include Dean (Academic) Prof P R Mohapatra, Head of the department of microbiology Prof Baijayantimala Mishra, and Scientist of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Madhuchhanda Das.

Prof Chakrabarti said there are several deadly fungal infections. Some of these, like mucormycosis and Candida auris, have recently been noticed by the medical and non-medical fraternity.

Prof Biswas agreed that recently fungal infections have become “viral.” Despite this, there is a lack of expertise in identifying and treating fungal infections.

Advanced molecular and diagnostic research centers for fungi have been established across India to fill this gap. Prof Chakrabarti & Dr Madhuchhanda emphasised that the objective of establishing the advanced laboratory is to make available cutting-edge diagnostics for fungal infections for the people of Odisha.

The aim is also to impart training to Odia doctors and paramedical personnel for identification & treatment of fungal infections, and support the different medical hospitals across eastern India for diagnosis and management of fungal infections.

The lab will act as a referral center for eastern India. It will help identify medical fungi, offering various serological, molecular, and antifungal susceptibility testing services for patients with different fungal infections, a release from AIIMS Bhubaneswar said.

Additionally, the lab will provide observership / hands-on laboratory training opportunities at the center to microbiology trainees or practicing microbiologists throughout the year. Hospitals experiencing outbreaks of fungal infections can seek help from this center to identify underlying reasons for an outbreak to terminate the episode, and implement measures to prevent future incidents