Microbiology is the scientific study of microorganisms, which include viruses, bacteria and fungi. Microbiologists study the characteristics of these organisms using tools, like microscopes, genetics, and culturing. It is a fundamental understanding of how a cell works. The study of microbiology is an applied science that helps the healthcare and medicine sector widely to detect and diagnose disease. Samples of blood, bodily fluid and tissue are tested to establish whether there is an infection and what are its characteristics.

The different branches of microbiology are –

• Bacteriology – The study of bacteria.
• Mycology – The study of prokaryotic organisms (bacteria) and fungi which are eukaryotic in nature.
• Protozoology – It is the sub-discipline that deals with the study of protozoa.
• Phycology – The study of multicellular organisms.
• Parasitology – Study of parasites.
• Immunology – Study of Immune systems.
• Virology – Virology is a branch of microbiology that deals with the study of viruses.
• Nematology – Study of multicellular nematodes. Those who study nematology are known as nematologists.

A Clinical Microbiology Laboratory is a full-service laboratory offering diagnostic bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, and mycobacteriology. The laboratory receives specimens from patients to study and perform microbiology testing. A Microbiology Lab is composed of several sections including Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Mycobacteriology.

KOTA HEART Microbiology Laboratory is well equipped to perform all the following microbiology tests –

• Aspirate culture & sensitivity
• Aspirate for AFB
• Blood culture & sensitivity
• CSF- culture & sensitivity
• Ear culture & sensitivity
• Endocervical swab
• Eye culture & sensitivity
• Faecal occult blood
• HVS culture & sensitivity
• HVS routine examination
• Nasal swab
• Pleural aspirate culture & sensitivity
• Pus culture & sensitivity
• Rectal Swab for V. Cholerae
• Semen analysis
• Semen culture & sensitivity
• Skin scrapping
• Skin snip
• Sputum for acid fast bacilli
• Sputum culture & sensitivity
• Stool culture & sensitivity
• Stool routine & examination
• Throat swab culture & sensitivity
• Urethral swab culture & sensitivity
• Urethral swab R/E
• Urine AFB
• Urine culture & Sensitivity
• Acid-fast bacilli
• Urine Pregnancy Test
• Wound swab – Culture and Sensitivity
• Mantoux test
• C Reactive Protein
• RA Test
• RPR Test
• Anti-Streptolysin ‘O’ Test
• Dengue Rapid Test
• Dengue NS1 Ag ELISA
• Dengue Ig M Ab ELISA
• Dengue Ig G Ab ELISA
• Leptospira Rapid Test
• Weil Felix Test
• Procalcitonin Test
• Chikungunya Rapid Test
• Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) for HIV, HCV and ABsAg
• RT PCR For SARS, COV=2, H1N1, HCV, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

A well-equipped microbiology laboratory is furnished with the following types of equipment –

• Hot Air Oven for Sterilization
• Drying Oven
• Autoclave
• Microbiological Incubator
• BOD Incubator (Low-Temperature Incubator)
• Fridge (Refrigerator)
• Deep fridge
• Electronic Top-pan and Analytical Balance
• Shaking Water Bath
• Vortex Mixer
• Laminar Flow Chamber
• Microscopes
• Computers
• Spectrophotometer
• Electrical Devices
• Automatic Bacteria Identification System
• Bactec Blood Culture Sysytem
• Bio Safety cabinet Type 2a
• ELISA Washes
• ELISA Reader
• VITROS Immunodiagnostics
• TRUENAT RT PCR Analysis
• TRUENAT RNA Extractor