The Department of Microbiology existed from the inception of Niloufer Hospital. The staff pattern comprises of one Professor, two Asst. Professors, three regular Technicians, two contract technicians, one sweeper/lab attender.

Around 50,000 samples are investigated per annum which include culture and sensitivity, serology, direct smear examination and sterility testing of operation theatres.

Culture/Sensitivity includes culture of all biological fluids like blood, C.S.F plural, peritoneal flinch, gastric aspirates and exudates like pus, sputum, and stool samples.

All culture positive cases are subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the susceptibility of the antibiotics administered. For effective results it is mandatory to process all the culture and sensitivity samples prior to administration of antibiotics.

Serology comprises of either detection of antigen/antibodies for most of the infectious diseases. These include widal, VDRL tests, HbsAg, A.S.O. Titres, R.A. Factor, C.R.P., IgG & IgM antibodies against Dengue fever and detection of antigen specific for Malaria.

Direct smear examination includes Gram stain of all exudates, detection of A.F.B by Zehil – Nelsons and Petroff's concentration methods, KOH mount of fungal elements, wet mount and Lugol's iodine mounts for parasitic infestations and hanging drop method to rule out cholera vibrios.

It is mandatory for all the operation theatres to send theatre swabs periodically to check the sterility of the theatres.

Apart from clinical diagnostic work the Dept. of Microbiology cater to the needs of P.G. Dissertations and projects like ICMR, M.Sc. Microbiology etc.,

There is a need for expansion of the lab facility by upgrading the Dept. with the addition of one Associate Professor, one more technician and lab-attender. Equipping the laboratory with Fluorescent – Microscope and ELISA system would enhance the sensitivity and specificity for detection of Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases and enhance the efficacy of the on going dissertation and research programs.