Our Mission

The Department of Microbiology was established in March 2021 in Government Medical College Krishnagiri. The Department of Microbiology aims to excel and continuously strive for the highest possible standard in diagnostic services, teaching as well as the research activities. Passionate and disciplined Undergraduate education, high quality laboratory diagnostic services and innovative research activities are the primary missions of the Department.

The department extends its hands for a co-ordinated and a congruent teamwork with all health care professionals to assure that the patients are benefitted with services that are clinically relevant, delivered in a timely fashion and aiding clinicians in decision making.

Scope of Services

The Department of Microbiology is well equipped to diagnose most of the infectious diseases prevalent in the society. Some of the major infectious diseases for which a laboratory diagnosis is sought are Cholera, Typhoid, AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Dengue, Urinary Tract Infections, Endocarditis, Rheumatic fever, scrub typhus, etc to name a few. It offers diagnostic services to the hospital and also carries out bacteriological analysis of water, Operation theatre sterility checks and Hospital environmental surveillance.

The diagnostic laboratory is well equipped with Biosafety cabinet, Incubator & CO2 incubator for Bacteriological cultures. Automated system for bacterial identification like BACTEC & VITEK 2 are also available. ELISA equipments like ELISA Reader & washer for serological diagnosis like Dengue, Scrub typhus, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis A, B, C & E are available. BOD incubator for diagnosing fungal infections are also available.

To crown the diagnostic activities offered by the department, there is also state-of-the-art VIROLOGY BIOSAFETY LEVEL –II LAB, efficiently rendering diagnosis of various viral infections, including COVID-19 infection.

Direct Microscopy

• Gram stain for urine samples, pus, sputum, wound swab, throat swab, vaginal and cervical swab, ear swab, conjuctival swab, umbilical swab and all body fluids including CSF
• Acid fast staining for sputum, CSF, urine and body fluids (M. Tuberculosis)
• Saline and iodine wet mount of stool for parasitic ova, cyst and larvae
• India ink preparation for cryptococcus (CSF & sputum)
• KOH mount for fungi
• Wet mount preparation for corneal scrapping
• Hanging drop preparation for stool (Vibrio cholerae)
• Gram stain for operation theatre swab

Bacterial Culture & Sensitivity

• Urine culture and sensitivity
• Sputum culture and sensitivity
• Pus culture and sensitivity
• Blood culture and sensitivity
• Human milk culture & sensitivity
• Body fluids culture & sensitivity
• Vaginal swab culture and sensitivity
• Throat swab culture and sensitivity
• Stool culture and sensitivity
• Sterility check of operation theatre

Serological Tests

• WIDAL test
• HCV rapid test
• HBsAg rapid test
• ASO rapid test
• CRP rapid test
• RA rapid test

ELISA Services

• DENGUE IgM ELISA
• DENGUE NS1 ELISA
• HBsAg ELISA
• SCRUB TYPHUS ELISA
• CHICKUNGUNYA ELISA
• LEPTOSPIROSIS ELISA
• HCV ELISA
• HAV ELISA
• HEV ELISA
• HBV ELISA
• HIV ELISA

RT PCR Services

• COVID 19 PCR
• HBV DNA PCR
• HCV RNA PCR

Academic Curriculum

Undergraduate Programs Offered

• M.B.B.S.
• Diploma in MLT (Medical Laboratory Technology)

MBBS Syllabus Structure

The Microbiology syllabus for M.B.B.S. is modified from the traditional organism-based teaching to system-based teaching. To achieve this, the content of the syllabus is updated, concised and reshuffled.

Part I: General Microbiology, Immunology, Hospital Infection Control

• Section 1: General Microbiology section
• Section 2: Immunology section
• Section 3: Hospital infection control (HIC)

Part II: Systemic Microbiology (Infectious Diseases)

• Section 4: Bloodstream and cardiovascular system infections
• Section 5: Gastrointestinal infections
• Section 6: Hepatobiliary system infections
• Section 7: Skin, soft tissue and musculoskeletal system infections
• Section 8: Respiratory tract infections
• Section 9: Central nervous system infections
• Section 10: Urogenital tract infections
• Section 11: Miscellaneous infective syndrome

DMLT Syllabus

Fundamentals of Medical Laboratory Technology & Microbiology

• Module 1: Introduction to Clinical laboratory
• Module 2: Common Laboratory Equipment's
• Module 3: Basic Steps for Drawing A Blood Specimen
• Module 4: Preparation of Reagents & Quality control
• Module 5: Manual Vs Automation in Clinical Laboratory
• Module 6: Characteristics of laboratory Substances

Microbiology & immunology (theory outline)

• Module 1: Introduction and brief history of Microbiology
• Module 2: Common Laboratory Equipments
• Module 3: BSterilization
• Module 4: Antiseptics & Disinfectants
• Module 5: Growth and cultivation of Microorganisms.
• Module 6: Bacteriology
• Module 7: Virology
• Module 8: Parasitology
• Module 9: Mycology
• Module 10: Immunology

Hospital Infection Control Activities

The Hospital Infection Control Committie (HICC) will supervise the implementation of the hospital infection control programme.The Dean is the chairperson of the hospital infection control committee. Microbiologist is the HICC Nodal officer & Secretary, Head of the Department of Medicine, HOD of Surgery, HOD of Paediatrics, HOD of Orthopaedics, HOD of Obstetrics and Gynecology are the members of the HICC.

HICC and Biomedical waste management rounds are conducted frequently by HICC Nodal officer and Assistant Professors of Microbiology department. They supervise all the wards and Intensive care Units of all the departments along with Nursing Superintendents and HICC Staff nurses and insist the Health care workers to improve and maintain the HICC practices on regular basis.Training sessions about HICC, BMW management and prevention of needle stick injury for doctors, CRMIs, Staff nurses and hospital workers and Krystal workers was conducted frequently to improve and maintain HICC practices on regular basis.

HICC meeting was headed by Dean madam, Medical Superintendent, Resident Medical Officer and HICC performance was presented by HICC Nodal officer on monthly basis.Antibiotic policy for all departments is prepared by HICC Nodal officer and Assistant Professors of Microbiology and approved by Dean madam to be followed by all departments. Hospital Acquired infection surveillance is done on monthly basis at IMCU, ICCU, SICU, Ortho post op ward, CEMONC HDU, NICU, PICU, CPO ward.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is done on monthly basis for all departments.

Department Museum

The Department is equipped with an excellent infrastructure for museum. The museum opens the way to the world of microbes and the various aspects of its role in modifying the lives of mankind. We have a range of real life specimens of different parasites and informative Models and charts of the various microbes.

Research Facilities

Inspired by emerging and future disease patterns and the increased complexity of comorbidities, our goal is to translate innovative interdisciplinary research to transform patient and population quality of life. The Laboratory of Microbiology is engaged in research on the bio-transformations and interactions of microorganisms and the control thereof.

Its general scientific objectives include:
1) To discover fundamental aspects of selected microbe-based, model systems at ecological, cellular and molecular levels
2) To understand the molecular basis of key processes in bacteria, archaea and their viruses to apply the obtained insights to develop and optimize processes related to improving human quality of life.

We have a well equipped Research lab that pertains to the standards required for the various research activities of undergraduate students as well as for the faculties aimed at improving the quality of services provided.

Research & Publications

Publications in 2023

• Senthilvadivu C. Evaluation of drug resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tertiary care teaching hospital. International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research. 2023; Volume 13(7).
• Senthilvadivu C, Stalin M. Mupirocin Resistance among Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus Aureus from Skin and Soft Tissue Infection in Tertiary Care Centre, Tamilnadu. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 2023 May; 15(7):59–62.
• Shanmugam K, Pandian J, Nithya C, Suganthi P. A study on seroprevalence of dengue virus infection among patient visiting a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Scientific Research. 2023; 68–69. doi:10.36106/ijsr/7515285.
• Shanmugam K, Pandian J, Nithya C, Suganthi P. A study on seroprevalence of dengue virus infection among patient visiting a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Scientific Research. 2023; 68–69. doi:10.36106/ijsr/7515285.
• Nithya C, Suganthi P, Shanmugam K, Pandian J. Seroprevalence of dengue virus infection by detection of NS1 antigen. IP International Journal of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Diseases. 2023; 9(1):53–56. doi:10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2023.010.
• Kaliappan S, Vajravelu L, Ravinder T, Katragadda R, Jayachandran AL. Urinary tract infection in urolithiasis: Antimicrobial resistance and clinico-microbiological association between risk factors and positive stone culture from a tertiary care hospital in South India. German Journal of Microbiology. 2023; 3(1). doi:10.51585/gjm.2023.1.0020.

Publications in 2022

• Muniappan M, Sankar P, Rupert S, Govindaraj K, Sathyanesan J, Vennila R, et al. Post liver transplant infections — experience at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Indian Journal of Applied Research. 2022; 59–62. doi:10.36106/ijar/2604928.

Publications in 2019

• Jayalakshmi J, Priyadharshini MS. Restricting high-end antibiotics usage-challenge accepted!. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2019 Oct; 8(10):3292.

Publications in 2018

• Shanmugam K, Thyagarajan R, Katragadda R, Vajravelu L, Lakshmy A. Biofilm formation and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) producers among the gram negative bacteria causing Urinary tract infections. Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis. 2017; 3(3):86–90.
• Stalin Mani, C SV, M M, Krishnan P. Circulation of multi drug resistant phage group III/type 47 hospital acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) in Tamilnadu. International Journal of Development Research. 2018 Aug 31; Volume 08(08):22473–77.
• Ponnambath DK, Priyadharshini MS, Boppe A. Non Lactational Breast Abscess due to Actinomyces odontolyticus: First Case Report from Asia. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. 2018 Apr 1; 12(4).

Researches in 2024

• A study on pathogens distribution and antimicrobial resistance in blood stream infections in neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital — Akilamani M, Ramya Shanmugam.
• Tube adherence test as a screening tool for detection of biofilm formation among gram negative resistant organism — Suganthi P.
• A study on Drug resistance pattern among Urinary tract infection in a tertiary care teaching hospital — Preethika M, Amudhan Aravind, Shanmugam K.

Publications in 2024

• Priyadharshini M S, Subathra N. Clinicomycological profile of Mucormycosis patients in Covid 19 pandemic in a tertiary care centre in South India - A retrospective study. International Journal of Academic Medicine & Pharmacy. 2024.

Ongoing Researches

• Prevalence of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital – Dr. M. Meena, M.D Microbiology.
• Surveillance of Carbapenem resistant & Multi drug resistant Enterobacterales in clinical specimen – Dr. P. Suganthi, M.D Microbiology.
• Prevalence of Inducible Clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcal infections – A Retrospective study – Dr. M. S. Priyadharshini, M.D Microbiology.
• Seroprevalence of HIV & Syphilis in patients attending ICTC in a tertiary care centre - A Retrospective study – Dr. M. S. Priyadharshini, M.D Microbiology.
• A study of pathogen profile & Antimicrobial resistance patterns of device associated infections in adult medical intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital in South India – A cross sectional study – Dr. M. Akilamani, M.D Microbiology.
• Prevalence of Antibiotic resistance profile of nasal Methicillin resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) colonisation among medical students in a tertiary care setting – Dr. P. Balaji, M.D Microbiology.

CME Programs

We continue toenlighten ourselves with the updations in the subject as well as the emerging diagnostic techniques and technologies. We also participate in the Clinical Society Meetings to spread the knowledge to our colleagues of various departments and spread the awareness on the various updates happening in Microbiology. We had an Excellent and informative CME conducted on March 2023- “Combating TB-White Plague – A recent Update” with the support of our Dean and Administrators.

Awards Won

One of our faculty, Dr.M.S.Priyadharshini, Tutor, had won the best Oral Paper presentation in the VINHICON conference held at Yercaud on 10th and 11thSeptember 2022 for the paper, “A rare case of Subcutaneous Dirofilariasis from a tertiary care hospital in South India- A case Report”.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week Celebrations

Awareness created among MBBS students regarding antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention as Seminars, Role play done by students & pledge taken for practicing Infection Prevention Control (IPC) protocols practices headed by Dean madam followed by HOD of Microbiology, Faculties, Lab. technicians, Health care workers of various departments.

Public awareness created in outpatient departments headed by Medical superintendent, RMO, HOD of Microbiology department followed by Matron, Nursing superintendent, HICC staff nurses, Health care workers, patients, attenders & public. Pledge taken for IPC practices & distribution of IEC materials done.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week Celebrations

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18–24 Nov 2023) Celebration (WAAW)

WAAW 2023 was celebrated from November 18–24, 2023, headed by Dean sir, followed by HOD of Microbiology, Faculties, Lab. technicians, Health care workers of various departments. Various competitions like Poster presentation and Slogans regarding prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance were conducted among the students, and prize distribution was done among the winners. Debate was also conducted among the students regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) pertaining to the topic, “AMR is due to Healthcare workers over prescription of medicines or due to public’s self-medication.” The debate was headed by our Dean sir, and prizes were given to the winning team.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18–24 Nov 2025) Celebration

Inter-college Quiz competition, Short film and Mime competition regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) were conducted successfully for the students on November 18, 2025. Prize distribution was given to all the winners by respected Dean madam.

A Hybrid CME (Continuing Medical Education) was conducted on November 19, 2025, on the topic “The Silent Pandemic – by Ministry of Microbes”, headed by our Dean madam, Medical superintendent sir, Vice principal madam, RMO sir and HOD of Microbiology.

There were enthusiastic participants from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and China. The CME was conducted successfully by speakers from Narayana Health Hospital, Bangalore, Govt. Namakkal Medical College, Govt. Dindigul Medical College and Apollo Hospital, Chennai.