Department of Microbiology

With a modest beginning in 1957 Dr. K.V. Subba Rao, M.D., D.T.M & H, England (MRS) (GB) (October 1957 to January 1958) Started the Department of Microbiology. The Department grew up slowly and steadily with dedicated Professors Dr. B. Ramanarayana Murthy, Dr. K. Sreenivasa Rao till June 1961.

A firm foundation started with Dr. C.S. Bhaskaran, MRC., Path (London) from June 1961 to September 1963. This marked the beginning of a fullfledged department of Microbiology.

Dr. C.S. Bhaskaran is a renowned microbiologist with worldwide recognition. He had advanced training in Microbiology in London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London. He also worked as Additional Director and Director of Medical Education- Andhra Pradesh, Director, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Services (IPM, Hyderabad) and Vice Chancellor of N.T.R. University of Health Sciences in Andhra Pradesh. He has trained several postgraduate students and published many research papers in journals of good standing. His main fields of interest in Microbiology have been Nosocomial and Urinary Tract Infections with special reference to characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. He published first reports of chloramphenicol resistance among Salmonella in 1962. His name was also quoted in the Topley Wilsons Microbiology and Microbial Infections, a standard book of Microbiology worldwide.

Dr. C.S. Bhaskaran was installed as the 23rd President of the National Academy of Medical Sciences at the Annual Convocation of the Academy held at Chennai on October 13, 2012, in recognition of his richness of experience, profound equanimity and a deep spirit of humility. He was also elected Emeritus Professor of the Academy in recognition of his proven track record of professional excellence and subject expertise of a high order.

He is the recipient of Fellowships of The Royal College of Pathologists, London; National Academy of Medical Sciences (India); Association of Basic Medical Sciences of India; Indian College of Pathologists; and A.P. Academy of Sciences. He was conferred Honorary Doctorate in Science (DSc. h.c.) from N.T.R. University of Health Sciences. He also received Dr. B.C. Roy National Award in the category of Eminent Medical Teacher (MCI), Dr. H.I. Jhala Award (IAMM), Dr. Siva Reddy Award (APSA), Dr. Shankar Benerjee Memorial Award (2001) (APIAPM), and Dr. U.C. Chaturvedi Life Time Achievement (IAMM) award. He delivered Dr. Govinda Reddy Oration (NTR UHS), Dr. V.R. Khanolkar Oration (1999-2000) & Dr. B.K. Anand Oration (2009-10) of the NAMS and Dr. Lalitha Kameswaran Oration (Dr. MGR Tamil Nadu Medical University). He was associated with several National and International Organizations such as MCI, ICMR, NBE, Planning Commission and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India and WHO.

Dr. P.S. Leela Naidu, M.D. D.G.O., took up the baton and reinforced the department from September 1963 for nearly 2 1/2 decades with a brief gap of one year when Dr. N. Lakshmi, M.D., D.G.O., took over the department for about one year. The department took a concrete shape during this period till she retired as Principal, Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool in January 1985. The department was known for sincerity, discipline, love and affection during that period. Several eminent microbiologists like Dr. M.V.Ramanamma were her students. Dr. M.V. Ramanamma has completed her MD in 1985 and later served as tutor and Assistant Professor in the Dept of Microbiology till 1995. Dr. Ramanamma has served as Professor and Head of Kakatiya Medical College, Principal of Siddartha Medical College, and Director of Medical Education, Andhra Pradesh. She also worked as Rector of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences

Many postgraduates of this department has served key positions in various prestigious institutions. Dr. P.Sathyavathi, who is a postgraduate student of this department served as Head of the Department of Microbiology, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal. Dr. Joga Lakshmi, Post graduate student of this college, served as Professor of Microbiology in Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. Dr. Sucharitha Murthy P, another postgraduate of this Department served as the Director of IPM (Institute of Preventive Medicine), Hyderabad. Dr. P. Vijaya Lakshmi who took over from Dr. P.S. Leela Naidu as Head of the Department along with Dr. P. Sesha Sai, Professor of Microbiology tried successfully to maintain the reputation of the department till October 1994. Dr.Vijaya lakshmi madam was one of the inspiring persons in the department who has done enumerable works and guided post graduates in the department.

Since then the department had two Principals of Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool who came as Heads of the Departments and in the Additional Director of Medical Education ran on Promotion, Dr. P.A. Jayakar till February 1995 and Dr. Nandan Singh till July 1995 to September 1995.

Later Dr. P. Sesha sai, took over as head of the Department. Inception of ICTC (Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre) took place in the year 2000, as Dr. G.Swarnalatha as In-charge. It initially started as VCTC (Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre) and later modified as VCCTC (Voluntary Confidential a Counseling Testing Centre) in the year 2008 and further improvised as ICTC (Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre) in the year 2011 integrating HIV screening in pregnant woman and children (Prevention of parent to child transmission). At present, ICTC of Kurnool Medical College is handling 100 samples/day on average. This is also the first centre to enroll (in 2010) for diagnosis of HIV/AIDS by DNA PCR in infants. State Reference Laboratory (SRL) was started in 2008. Activities like Panel sera distribution, External Quality Assurance programmes (EQAS), Refreshment training for the ICTC/PPTCT/Blood bank technicians and training for the lab technicians working in primary health care centres. Dr G Swarnalatha during her tenure as HOD worked as warden of womens hostel and also incharge of 24 hours laboratory for 3 years.

Dr.A.Surekha, started PPTCT in the year 2001 as Incharge of PPTCT. Since 2011, Dr. A.Surekha has taken over as Professor and encouraged all the faculty and PGs to take up new projects. She was working as Incharge of 24 hr diagnostic laboratory to cater the needs of the patients attending Govt General Hospital. Also, CD4 count for HIV seropositive individuals has been started in the department with the availability of an advanced machine, Flow Cytometer. About 40-50 samples are being processed everyday. CBNAAT ( Cartridge Based Nucleic acid amplification test) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis diagnosis and detection of drug resistance has become available in the department since 26th January 2016. It is a remarkable achievement of the department to accelerate the diagnosis of Tuberculosis. About 8-12 samples are being processed on average per day in this centre.

HIV Viral load testing laboratory has been recently sanctioned by NACO (National AIDS Control organization). Kurnool Medical College is one of the few centres sanctioned by NACO throughout India.

Testing for viral diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis is also available in the department. Department of Microbiology, Kurnool Medical College is WHO recognized centre for the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis. Recently, in the year 2017, testing for Swine flu is also started by Chip based real time PCR method. It made possible the diagnosis of Swine flu within 2 hrs.

Dr.A.Surekha, Professor of Microbiology is coordinating activities of NSS and IDSP (Integrated disease surveillance project). Several communicable diseases like Malaria, Typhoid, Cholera, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis are covered in that project.

This department has produced 31 M.D. (Microbiology) Candidates so far.

Dr. Masala Padmaja, a post graduate of the department of Microbiology, Kurnool Medical College, Kurnnol was the recipient of University Gold Medal in the year 2003. In 2007, she was elected as MLC of AP Legislative assembly (Telugu Desam Party) and was in that position till 2011. During the period , she also worked as Panel speaker and Whip. She also sanctioned Rs. 5 lac as grant to the digital library of Kurnool Medical College, when Dr. Bhavani Prasad was the Principal. Currently, she is working as State organizing secretary of TDP.

Dr.A.Surekha took over as Head of the department and Lab director of SRL for HIV testing lab in June 20118. SRL, ICTC, PPTCT and CD4 laboratory got NABL accreditation in September 2018 under the guidance of Dr.A.Surekha. It is a great achievement for the institute. She is working as chairperson for the Infection control committee and is a very active participant in the NABH accreditation team. The dept of microbiology is playing active role in Infection control measures to be taken for NABH, GGH, Kurnool. During Swineflu epidemic in 2018, Dr.A.Surekha has been a member of Rapid response team and encouraged all faculty to work for diagnosis of swineflu.

Dr.A.Renuka joined as professor in the department from june 2018. She has been very active and resource person and mentor for postgraduate students.

Achievements :

1.Prestigious IAPM state conference was also conducted during Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi period in collaboration with pathology Head

2. Prestigious IAMM microbiology state conference was done during the period of Dr. K. Srinivasa Rao in the year 2012