Apex Regional STD Teaching Training and Research Centre

The centre consists of the following sections-

NABL Accreditation - In April 2016, the Apex Regional STD Centre and State Reference Laboratory for HIV was accorded Accreditation by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories), for a scope of diagnostic tests performed in this Centre. The various tests in the scope of Accreditation by NABL, as per ISO-15189: 2012, include-

STD Centre Functions - The functions of the Apex Centre include-

STI Physicians and Microbiologists are jointly carrying out all the above functions.

STI Screening:

The STI/RTI patients and other clinic attendees get the facilities of routine STI clinical checkup, laboratory diagnostic tests for all STIs and HIV/AIDS. Management of the patients is syndrome/aetiology based.

Integrated Counseling cum Testing Centre (ICTC) of NACO/DSACS:

The ICTC of NACO, has been established under the STD Centre for pre- and post- test counselling of patients for HIV testing, mainly with the active support of the STD laboratory in HIV testing, both screening and confirmatory. CD4 counts in HIV+ patients are also being performed as per NACO guidelines.

HIV Counseling:

The Counseling Centre with Male and Female Counselors, is providing pre and post test counselling to patients undergoing HIV test after informed written consent.

HIV testing:

HIV testing is carried out regularly. Besides, voluntary patients are provided on the spot rapid HIV testing and reporting. The laboratory is also functioning as the HIV testing laboratory for PPTCT project of NACO (Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission), and as the State Reference Laboratory (SRL) for 20 ICTCs & 3 PPTCTs under it.

STI Diagnostic work:

The Centre has laboratory diagnostic facilities for diagnosis of all STIs/RTIs like Syphilis (screening and confirmation), Chancroid (smear and culture), Herpes genitalis (smear and ELISA), Donovanosis (smear), Gonorrhoea (smear, culture and antibiotic sensitivity), Chlamydial infections (DFA, Ag and Ab Detection ELISA), Trichomoniasis (smear and culture), Vulvo Vaginal Candidiasis (smear, culture and antifungal susceptibility), Bacterial Vaginosis (smear, pH test, amine test), HBsAg, Anti HCV antibodies by ELISA or rapid tests.

The Centre is also the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for South East Asia Region for Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GASP) since 1999.

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) – Under Deptt. of Medicine:

The centre’s laboratory offers regular CD4 count facility for all the patients registered at ART Clinic.

Follow-up of STI and HIV/AIDS Patients:

Epidemiological Work:

About HIV-AIDS

AIDS is Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome in which the body defense systems against foreign infectious agents is destroyed because of a virus called HIV ( Human immunodeficiency virus ).

Modes of transmission

Unprotected sex with an infected person without use of condoms. Any STD (sexually transmitted disease) facilitates HIV transmission.

Drug injections by sharing of needles contaminated with the blood of infected person ( Common practice of drug addicts )

Transfusion of infected blood or blood products

Infected mother to baby during delivery or from breast milk

Tattooing, acupuncture, ear piercing and some kind of dental works using unsterile instruments.

Symptoms

Early HIV symptoms occur within first few weeks after the infection with HIV. Symptoms are fever, headache, sorethroat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, diarrhoea, skin rash etc. They may last for 8-10 days.

The Antibody tests are negative upto 3 months and this period is called as window period. Only DNA based tests will detect the disease during this phase.

Asymptomatic HIV Infection may last 8-9 years. There are no symptoms at all but HIV virus multiplies and destroys the immune system and the person is infectious.

Symptomatic HIV Infection during which patient develops-

Treatment

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is used to control the viral multiplication. There are 4 groups of drugs and when used in combination, therapy is called HAART i.e. Highly active antiretroviral therapy.

More details on management of STIs/RTIs/HIV/AIDS are available in the respective sections of this Centre.

Research

The department has carried out/is carrying out several research projects sponsored by ICMR, NACO, DBT and WHO in the clinic, laboratory and the community on STI/RTI/HIV/AIDS for detecting prevalence, monitoring antibiotic resistant strains and for evaluating and developing STI diagnostics. Most of the research work of the Centre has been published in International and National journals of repute.

From time to time the department carries out several projects in the field of STI/RTI with funding from Govt. agencies like NACO and DSACS.

A NACO sponsored project on Genital Ulcer Diseases was successfully carried out and concluded in 2011-12.

Training:

This Centre is a recognized centre for WHO fellowship training programmes. It offers training for Medical Officers in “Laboratory Techniques for Diagnosis of STD&HIV/AIDS”-2 weeks duration & training of “Laboratory Technicians in “Laboratory Techniques for Diagnosis of STD&HIV/AIDS”-2 weeks duration, the department provides training on clinical and laboratory aspects of STIs/RTIs to the in-service medical and paramedical staff from Regional STI Centres and State Reference Centres for STIs.

Besides this, several training programmes, including hands-on workshops, are regularly conducted by the department at local, national and international levels.

External Quality Assurance (EQA):

The Centre is regularly conducting and participating in various Quality Assurance programmes for VDRL/RPR, HIV, CD4/CD, Candida testing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of N. gonorrhoeae

Teaching & Academics in STD- All faculty members of this Centre are actively involved in the teaching and training of MBBS and MD students of VMMC, and also students of BSc. Nursing, Rehabilitation courses and IGNOU-CCHWM course.