- 12 Apr 2016 To 13 Apr 2016
Venue : Amity University Rajasthan, Auditorium
AIMT, under theaegis of Amity University Rajasthan organized a two day colloquium onMycobacterial diseases: international status and priorities with collobarationwith SMS medical college, Jaipur and Millenium India Education Foundation, Newdelhi. The inaugural saw the confluence of distinguished experts and notedresearchers from all over India. Welcomeaddress in the inaugural was given byHonorable Vice chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, Prof.(Dr.) S K Dube, whoemphasized the colloquim would serve asa platoform for creating a synergybetween various disciplines for performing cutting edge research. He suggestedthe emergence of various infectious disease globally and their increasingincidence may be correlated with increasing dynamics in climate. Dr. BhartiMalhotra, Dean , Faculty of medicine and senior professor microbiology, SMSmedical college jaipur, highlighted the importance of multifaceted approach fordiagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial diseases. Dr. Pratibha Narang, MGIMS,Wardha, a noted researcher stressed the importance of integrated approaches isa prerequisite for addressing the issues related to MTB and NTM. She alsotalked about the relevance of zoonotic infections and their impact on human.She motivated the participants to face up the challenges given by this uniquebacteria and not despair as the first step backwards would be giant leapforward.
Dr. Uday Kakroo,Founder , MIEF, highlighted the strategies needed to be taken to tackle thevarious pathogens and how various organization are present which facillitate inbringing the research work conducted in laboraties to field. Inaugral chiefguest, Dr. V.M. Katoch,former SecretaryDHR & DG, ICMR, discussed the need for development of research in theIndian context. His main concern was that improper medical treatment has led tohigh prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of Mycobacterium and howscience must be build around public health. He also stressed that emergingcases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) may also become a major concern innew future. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof.(Dr.) G.K. Aseri, DeputyPVC and Director AIMT.
The firsttechnical session was initiated by Dr. Pratibha Narang, MGIMS, who delivered atalk on “ Overview of Microbial disease in humans”. She detailed about theaetiological agents for both Leprosy and Tuberculosis and the paradoxassociated with it.She discussed the scenario of extremely drug resistant mycobacterias and their increasingprevalence. India as well as other developing countries are still dependant onsmear microscopy for the detection of acid fast bacilli. She urged that presentscenario requires utilization of molecular methods like Gene Xpert MTB/RIF and Line Probe Assay She summarizedher lecture with an observation that increased political initiatives have resulted in public awareness with the aim notonly to reduce but eradicate TB.
Dr. RahulNarang, MGIMS, Sevagram, Wardha, focussed his lecture on atypical mycobacterialdiseases. After spread of AIDS, this class of opportunistic bacteria havebecome more prevalent worldwide due to its resistance to various environmentalextremities and disinfectants Dr. A.K Bhatia, Head , Microbiology, biochemistryand immunology, GLA university spoke about the immunology behinds the evasiontactics of the mycobacterium, specifically about MAP. He discussed variousparameters like host range, transmission, zoonotic potential, survivalstatistics in pasteurized milk and its incurability. He discussed about thesecretory proteins, which can act as a template for detection of MAP.
Dr Ashok Kumar,chief Scientist G, IGIB , New Delhi, talked about the relevance of biosensorsin detection of infectious diseases. He detailed about the template design,characterization, immobilization and sensing technology for the biosensorsbased on metabolites, DNA and RNA. He briefly explained the design andfunctioning of biosensors for meningitis, typhoid and heart attack.
Dr. ParimiSuresh, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur discussed the role of herbalmedicines against MTBs. He detailed how mythology has described MTB basedinfections as “Droplet infections” and explained the etiology of the infectionwith reference to ayurveda. The severity of this” droplet infection” has beencategorized based on the symptomatic approaches and their cure accordingly using ayurvedic concotations made up of ghee,coriander, dates.
The first day ofthe colloquim also saw the oral presentation from participants on topicsrelated diagnostics protocols based on serological and molecular methods, therapeutic mechanismbased on ayurvedic concepts, case studies and drug susceptibility andresistance of mycobacterial classes.
Dr. P Dandapat,ICAR-IVRI, Kolkatta, discussed about the possible routes of transmission of M. bovis and its zoonotic potential andits significance in reverese zoonosis. He stressed that effective control ofBTB in cattle and wildlife is of paramount importance and can only be achievedthrough the use of accurate and comprehensive diagnostic tests, removal ofanimals infected with M. bovis andthe other member of the MTB complex, based on the test and slaughter policy.
Dr. Shoorvir Singh, PIand head, CIRG gave an extensive report of paratuberculosis on the work done inCIRG. He focused on the zoonotic potential and zoonosis,high incidence and prevalence of MAP in domestic and wild animals. He described the effortsof his research group for the development of the vaccine against MAP, specificto strains prevalent in india.
Dr. Bharti Malhotra,detailed about the advances in Diagnosisof Tuberculosis with Reference to MDRTB and XDRTB. She discussed severalmethods for rapid cultivation ofMycobacteria like MGIT, Septichek and the newer methods like BACTEC, MGIT,MB/Bact, Pyrosequencing which has also been effectively used for rapiddetection of drug resistance to first and second line drugs and drugsusceptibility testing of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis.
A virtualworkshop related to “Biosafety practices in mycobaterial disease research” wasconducted by Dr. D. S. chauhan and Dr. A.V. Singh , Jalma Institute of leprosy,Agra, aquainted the participants about the handling of biosafety labs and associatedsafety measurements.
The colloquimalso conducted a poster competition where participants presented various aspectof mycobacterial infection and control.
The lasttechnical session for the colloquim witnessed an open house discussion by apanel consisting of Dr. D.S.Chauhan, Dr.P. Dandapat and Dr. S. V. Singh chairedby Dr. A.K. Bhatia. They deliberated on the current and future strategies forMTBS and NTMs.
Chief guest forthe valedictory ceremony was Dr. A.K Bhatia, Head , Microbiology, Biochemistryand Immunology, GLA university. Honorable Vice chancellor, Amity UniversityRajasthan, Prof.(Dr.) S K Dube presided the ceremony and appreciated theinitiative of the organizers for conducting the colloquim. Dr. A.K Bhatiasummarized the entire event by encouraging the delegates of the conference toengage actively in developing mechanisms to control and eradicate MTBs andNTMs. The abstract book for the colloquim was released in the valedictory inform of CD to support the “Go green” initiative. Prize distribution was done inthe valedictory session.
In all thecolloquium observed four technical sessions consisting of eleven speakers, onevirtual workshop, oral and poster competition. The organizing committee inAmity University Rajasthan consisted of Prof. G.K. Aseri, Joint Convenor, Dr. Jagdeep sohal ,Organizing Secretary, Dr. Neelam Jain & Dr. Manali Datta, JointSecretary & Treasurer
Dr.Neeraj Khare and Dr. Parul Yadav,Core Members and Research Scholars of AmityInstitute of Microbial Technology & Amity Institute of Biotechnology.