CC No

IND-207-[SE]

Title

Diagnosis, Reference, Research and Training in Leptospirosis

Head of Institution

Professor S.C. Sehgal

PI Name

Professor S.C. Sehgal

PI Designation

Director 

Institute Name

Regional Medical Research Center (ICMR) , Port Blair, Andaman Nicobar Islands, India

Address

Indian Council of Medical Research

Phone

91 3192-251158, 251159, 251043, 251164 

Post Bag No. 13, Dollyganj 

Fax

91-3192-251163 

Port Blair 744 101 

E-Mail

pblicmr@sancharnet.in; icmr@cal3.vsnl.net.in 

Andaman Nicobar Islands, India 

HQ Unit

ZFK

SEARO File

C8/72/1 

SEARO Department

CDS

Technical Unit

VBC

Area Code

VBC

Area

Vector Borne Disease Control

Functions of the Centre

Status Details

Initial Designation Date

1-Jul-2004 

Redesignation due on

30-Jun-2008 

Last Designation Date

1-Jul-2004 

Current Status

Designated 

Status Comments

Final letter of designation dated 01 July 2004 signed by the Ag. Regional Director, SEARO was released on 02 July 2004 

Introduction

Origin of the proposal, technical programme which is sponsoring, reasons for proposed designation

The Cemtre has has the capability to carry out basic and applied research on leptospirosis. The Centre was designatedas the National Leptosipirosis Reference in 1999.The Centre has already been recognized as an expert centre for research in leptosipirosis by WHO (WHO guidelines for diagnosis, surveillance and control of leptospirosis, WHO & ILS, 2003) 

Steps that have led to this proposal, eg site-visits by WHO staff, previous participation of the institution, joint development of a workplan, etc.

Previous collaborative works, site visits by WHO staff and consultants, previous participation of the institution at various meetings, emphasis placed by the national authorities and the institution itself on activities related to WHO programmes, and the joint development of a work plan including a preliminary two-year collaboration period if this has not yet taken place (or the summary of collaborative activities/ products achieved during the last few years of collaboration - at least minimum of two years) 

Comments & Composition of the Institute

The centre is renowned for its work on research and training in Leptospirosis for over a decade. The Centre was designated as the National Leptospirosis Reference Centre in 1999, by the Govt of India. 

Statutory functions of the institution ; formal links with other institutions

Besides being recognised by the GOI as a Centre for Leptospirosis, it is affiliated to Pondicherry University to conduct Masters (M.Sc) and Doctoral (Ph.D) programmes in microbiology and entomology and has been conducting training workshop on laboratory diagnosis of Leptosirosis, every alternate year since 1999. It also provides short-term training in laboratory methods in Leptospirosis for scientists and post-graduate students from other Institutions. 

Administrative Structure

Administrative and Scientific Responsibility

Prof. S.C. Sehgal, Director 

National and International Advisory Boards ; Composition & Terms of Reference

The Centre has an institutional Scientific Advisory Committee, institutional Ethical and Animal Ethical Committees. Besides, the central advisory bodies like the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and the Governing Council of the Indian Council of Medical Research Centre also oversee the scientific functioning of the Centre. 

List of Senior Staff

As per Institutional Profile 

Facilities Available (labs, training facilities, documentation centre, etc.)

As per Institutional Profile 

Workplan

Terms of Reference

1) Development and assessment of Disease Burden and other Epidemiological Indicators of Leptospirosis and their application in the Field

2) Development, standardization, and evaluation of molecular tools for identification and characterization of leptospirosis

3) Development and evaluation of indigenous rapid diagnostic test for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis

4) Function as a Referral and Training Centre on Leptospirosis

List Of Activities

Activity ID

Activity Title

Year1

Year2

Year3

Year4

1)

Assessment of prevalence of symptomatic Leptospirosis in selected areas of India

Yes

Yes

No

No

2)

Assessment of specific clinical syndromes caused by leptospirosis

Yes

No

Yes

No

3)

Assessment of risk factors associated with severe complications of leptospirosis

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

4)

Prevalence estimation of symptomatic and asymptomatic Leptospirosis in different areas

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

5)

Standardization of molecular tools for identification and characterization of leptospire

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

6)

Development of antigen detection test kit for Leptospirosis

No

Yes

No

No

7)

evaluation of indigenous test kit with commercially available kits

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

8)

Training of trainers in laboratory diagnosis of leptospira, including molecular biology

No

Yes

No

Yes