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General bacteriology laboratory conducts diagnostic and research activities on parasites, fungi and different gram positive/gram negative aerobes and/or anaerobes, such as: Enterobacteriaceae, non-Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Clostridium spp, Campilobacter spp, Acinetobacter spp, Staphylococcus spp, Strepococcus spp, Nieseria spp, Bartonella spp, Klebsiella spp end etc.
The main activities are: study of morphology and biochemical characteristics of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa); Study of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and sensitivity against different disinfectants; participate in the program of prophylaxis and prevention of pathogenic microorganisms; diagnostics of parasitic diseases.
Laboratory is integral part of surveillance program; participates in several state programs: nosocomial infections; diarrheal infections and malaria surveillance program – internal quality control component across the country.
To perform studies of clinical and environmental samples, the laboratory applies the following methods:
- Bacterioscopy
- isolation/identification of microbes
- Sero-typing
- Microscopy of parasitic diseases
- antimicrobial susceptibility testing services for aerobic/anaerobic microorganisms according to CLSI and EUCAST guidelines upon request.
Under WHO, the Laboratory is functioning as an AMR Reference Laboratory in the country and leads the National Microbiological Laboratory Network across the country (includes 11 clinics)
Accreditation/certification
- External Quality Assessment program for Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae by WHO
- External Quality Assessment program for Salmonella/Shigella species by WHO
- Diphtheria accredited reference laboratory by WHO
- External Quality Assessment program on AMR by CAESAR/WHO
- External Quality Assessment program on Malaria
Laboratory is involved in Several Sate International Research Projects:
ISTC/BTEP #G-1759p ”Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in Georgia”
ISTC/BTEP #G-1683p “Distribution and diversity of Bartonella pathogens among people and animals in Georgia and evaluation of factors associated with the emergence of bartonellosis”
ISTC/BTEP #G-2099p “Molecular Epidemiology of Toxigenic Escherichia coli in country of Georgia”
ISTC/BTEP #G-1462p “Establishment of national sentinel-site, laboratory-based Salmonella surveillance system and outbreak response capacity for enhanced control of food borne disease in the Republic of Georgia”
ISTC/BTEP #G-2175p “Genotype-phenotype characterization and toxin study of archival and newly isolated Georgian Clostridium botulinum strains “
Proof-of-Principale Study (WHO surveillance project on AMR)
CBR GG21 - “Human Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance of Especially Dangerous Pathogens in Georgia”, 2014-2017. USAMRIID, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
Personnel
- 12 highly qualified professionals are working in the Laboratory. Among them, three are MD’s and three have PhD degrees in Medicine.
- Two personnel are writing doctoral theses on E.coli (STEC) subject based on work conducted at the Lugar Center.
Publications/Abstracts