AIMT, under the aegis of Amity University Rajasthan organized a two day colloquium on Mycobacterial diseases: international status and priorities with collobaration with SMS medical college, Jaipur and Millenium India Education Foundation, New delhi. The inaugural saw the confluence of distinguished experts and noted researchers from all over India. Welcome address in the inaugural was given by Honorable Vice chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, Prof.(Dr.) S K Dube, who emphasized the colloquim would serve as a platoform for creating a synergy between various disciplines for performing cutting edge research. He suggested the emergence of various infectious disease globally and their increasing incidence may be correlated with increasing dynamics in climate. Dr. Bharti Malhotra, Dean , Faculty of medicine and senior professor microbiology, SMS medical college jaipur, highlighted the importance of multifaceted approach for diagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial diseases. Dr. Pratibha Narang, MGIMS, Wardha, a noted researcher stressed the importance of integrated approaches is a prerequisite for addressing the issues related to MTB and NTM. She also talked about the relevance of zoonotic infections and their impact on human. She motivated the participants to face up the challenges given by this unique bacteria and not despair as the first step backwards would be giant leap forward.
Dr. Uday Kakroo, Founder , MIEF, highlighted the strategies needed to be taken to tackle the various pathogens and how various organization are present which facillitate in bringing the research work conducted in laboraties to field. Inaugral chief guest, Dr. V.M. Katoch,former Secretary DHR & DG, ICMR, discussed the need for development of research in the Indian context. His main concern was that improper medical treatment has led to high prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of Mycobacterium and how science must be build around public health. He also stressed that emerging cases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) may also become a major concern in new future. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof.(Dr.) G.K. Aseri, Deputy PVC and Director AIMT.
The first technical session was initiated by Dr. Pratibha Narang, MGIMS, who delivered a talk on “ Overview of Microbial disease in humans”. She detailed about the aetiological agents for both Leprosy and Tuberculosis and the paradox associated with it.She discussed the scenario of extremely drug resistant mycobacterias and their increasing prevalence. India as well as other developing countries are still dependant on smear microscopy for the detection of acid fast bacilli. She urged that present scenario requires utilization of molecular methods like Gene Xpert MTB/ RIF and Line Probe Assay She summarized her lecture with an observation that increased political initiatives have resulted in public awareness with the aim not only to reduce but eradicate TB.
Dr. Rahul Narang, MGIMS, Sevagram, Wardha, focussed his lecture on atypical mycobacterial diseases. After spread of AIDS, this class of opportunistic bacteria have become more prevalent worldwide due to its resistance to various environmental extremities and disinfectants Dr. A.K Bhatia, Head , Microbiology, biochemistry and immunology, GLA university spoke about the immunology behinds the evasion tactics of the mycobacterium, specifically about MAP. He discussed various parameters like host range, transmission, zoonotic potential, survival statistics in pasteurized milk and its incurability. He discussed about the secretory 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 biosensors in detection of infectious diseases. He detailed about the template design, characterization, immobilization and sensing technology for the biosensors based on metabolites, DNA and RNA. He briefly explained the design and functioning of biosensors for meningitis, typhoid and heart attack.
Dr. Parimi Suresh, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur discussed the role of herbal medicines against MTBs. He detailed how mythology has described MTB based infections as “Droplet infections” and explained the etiology of the infection with reference to ayurveda. The severity of this” droplet infection” has been categorized based on the symptomatic approaches and their cure accordingly using ayurvedic concotations made up of ghee, coriander, dates.
The first day of the colloquim also saw the oral presentation from participants on topics related diagnostics protocols based on serological and molecular methods, therapeutic mechanism based on ayurvedic concepts, case studies and drug susceptibility and resistance of mycobacterial classes.
Dr. P Dandapat, ICAR-IVRI, Kolkatta, discussed about the possible routes of transmission of M. bovis and its zoonotic potential and its significance in reverese zoonosis. He stressed that effective control of BTB in cattle and wildlife is of paramount importance and can only be achieved through the use of accurate and comprehensive diagnostic tests, removal of animals infected with M. bovis and the other member of the MTB complex, based on the test and slaughter policy.
Dr. Shoorvir Singh, PI and head, CIRG gave an extensive report of paratuberculosis on the work done in CIRG. He focused on the zoonotic potential and zoonosis,high incidence and prevalence of MAP in domestic and wild animals. He described the efforts of his research group for the development of the vaccine against MAP, specific to strains prevalent in india.
Dr. Bharti Malhotra, detailed about the advances in Diagnosis of Tuberculosis with Reference to MDRTB and XDRTB. She discussed several methods for rapid cultivation of Mycobacteria like MGIT, Septichek and the newer methods like BACTEC, MGIT, MB/Bact, Pyrosequencing which has also been effectively used for rapid detection of drug resistance to first and second line drugs and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A virtual workshop related to “Biosafety practices in mycobaterial disease research” was conducted 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 associated safety measurements.
The colloquim also conducted a poster competition where participants presented various aspect of mycobacterial infection and control.
The last technical session for the colloquim witnessed an open house discussion by a panel consisting of Dr. D.S.Chauhan, Dr. P. Dandapat and Dr. S. V. Singh chaired by Dr. A.K. Bhatia. They deliberated on the current and future strategies for MTBS and NTMs.
Chief guest for the valedictory ceremony was Dr. A.K Bhatia, Head , Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, GLA university. Honorable Vice chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, Prof.(Dr.) S K Dube presided the ceremony and appreciated the initiative of the organizers for conducting the colloquim. Dr. A.K Bhatia summarized the entire event by encouraging the delegates of the conference to engage actively in developing mechanisms to control and eradicate MTBs and NTMs. The abstract book for the colloquim was released in the valedictory in form of CD to support the “Go green” initiative. Prize distribution was done in the valedictory session.
In all the colloquium observed four technical sessions consisting of eleven speakers, one virtual workshop, oral and poster competition. The organizing committee in Amity University Rajasthan consisted of Prof. G.K. Aseri, Joint Convenor, Dr. Jagdeep sohal , Organizing Secretary, Dr. Neelam Jain & Dr. Manali Datta, Joint Secretary & Treasurer
Dr. Neeraj Khare and Dr. Parul Yadav,Core Members and Research Scholars of Amity Institute of Microbial Technology & Amity Institute of Biotechnology.