Haffkine Institute is starting an advanced Leptospirosis Diagnosis and Surveillance Centre, which will also act as a nodal centre for re-emerging diseases, in Mumbai from next week.

It may be noted that at present Leptospirosis blood samples are tested only at Pune or at Andaman in India and this had caused delay in treating patients affected with the disease during the recent floods in Mumbai.

According to informed sources, the tests for diagnosis of leptospirosis, dengue, malaria etc. would be available at the centre, undertaken by the department of Zoonosis at the institute. Further, the centre will be equipped with advanced facilities for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the diseases, including tests like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay), DOT, MAT and serological analysis.

“PCR products could be visualized at each cycle using an intercalating dye, such as ethidium bromide, an ultraviolet source and a CCD camera will be available in the lab. The molecular biology reports will be obtainable within 2-4 hours. Now Lepto Patients in Mumbai won’t have to send blood samples to Pune and Andaman Islands anymore,” said Dr. Ranjana Deshmukh, Director, Haffkine.

The new facility will also facilitate research on Leptospirosis. Besides rodents, the laboratory will conduct test on dogs and cats to test their susceptibility to the disease. The institute also plans to work towards developing a vaccine for the disease.