The Department of Respiratory Virology was established in the year 1972 for research, post-graduate Virology teaching and to provide diagnostic facilities for respiratory viruses. The total infrastructure and facilities for isolation, and identification of respiratory viruses has been organized. In mid eighties, quick viral diagnostic facilities were established by standardizing ELISA and Florescent antibody techniques. Over the years adequate facilities have been generated in the Department for conducting advanced research in respiratory virology. Consequently the Department was recognized by WHO as a national Centre for respiratory viruses (only one of its kind in India). The Indian Council of Medical Research also recognized the Department as an Influnza monitoring Centre during the year (1981-87), after which the ICMR scheme was closed. In the year 1989, the Department was selected by WHO for a collaborative Centre on measles virus strains isolation.

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE

The diagnostic facilities for respiratory viral infections for the out door and indoor patients attending Clinical Research Centre, and from all other hospitals are provided by the Department.

Till March, 1999 a total number of more than 19000 specimens collected from patients with respiratory diseases have been examined for respiratory viruses.

Over the years, 726 different strains of viruses have been isolated from cases of respiratory infections, viz : Influenza virus type (H3N2) - 429, Influenza virus type (H1N1) - 66, B/Lee - 31, Adeno - 56, Para Influenza - 75, Rhino viruses - 64, Unidentified viruses - 45.

Serological evidence of respiratory viral infections has been observed in 69 percent of cases investigated. Besides, sero-diagnostic tests for respiratory viruses, haematological values, blood biochemistry and immune profile (IgG, IgA) on blood samples collected from patients have also been done in selected specimens number.