Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL)

AIIMS Rajkot – Advancing India's Viral Preparedness and Public Health Response

 

The Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at AIIMS Rajkot is a part of the national network of ICMR-DHR-supported VRDLs, playing a pivotal role in early detection, outbreak investigation, and public health response against viral diseases in the Saurashtra and Kachchh region of Gujarat.

Built with advanced infrastructure, high-throughput diagnostic capabilities, and trained manpower, our VRDL is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and reliable diagnostics, while also serving as a hub for research, training, and collaborative innovation.

Core Mandates

  • Surveillance and diagnosis of endemic, emerging, and re-emerging viral diseases
  • Rapid outbreak response and epidemic intelligence
  • Development and validation of indigenous diagnostic assays
  • Training and upskilling of healthcare workers and laboratory professionals
  • Supporting public health policies with high-quality virological data

 

Diagnostic Capabilities: Viruses Currently Tested

Our VRDL currently offers molecular and/or serological diagnostics for the following viral pathogens:

Vector-Borne Viruses

  • Dengue virus (DENV) – NS1 Antigen, IgM ELISA, RT-PCR
  • Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) – IgM ELISA, RT-PCR
  • Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) – IgM ELISA
  • West Nile virus (WNV) – IgM ELISA

Respiratory Viruses

  • Human Parechovirus
  • Human coronavirus
  • Human Parainfluenza virus 1
  • Human Parainfluenza virus 2
  • Human Parainfluenza virus 3
  • Human Parainfluenza virus 4
  • Influenza A virus
  • Enterovirus
  • Influenza A (H3N2) virus
  • Human metapneumovirus (A/B)
  • Pandemic H1influenz virus (pdm09)
  • Influenza B virus
  • Influenza C virus
  • Human adenovirus
  • Human Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (A/B)
  • Human rhinovirus
  • Human bocavirus

Viral Hepatitis Panel

  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV) – IgM ELISA
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) – DNA quantification
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) – RNA quantification

 

Viral Meningitis Panel kit

  • Human Adenovirus
  • Enterovirus
  • Human Parecho virus
  • HSV 1 & 2
  • Mumps virus
  • Human Parvovirus B19
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Varicella Zoster Virus
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • HHV 6
  • HHV 7

 

Congenital & Childhood Viruses

  • Rubella virus – IgM ELISA
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) – DNA PCR
  • Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 & 2 – PCR
  • Measles virus – IgM ELISA

Zoonotic & Emerging Viruses

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) – RT-PCR
  • Nipah virus – (Refer testing)
  • Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) – (Refer testing)
  • Scrub Typhus – IgM ELISA (Bacterial but tested as part of AFI panel)
  • Leptospira – IgM ELISA (Bacterial but part of surveillance panel)
  1. Respiratory Viral Pathogen Panel

Pathogens covered:

  1. Flu Panel with RSV Detection Kit

Pathogens covered:

  • Influenza A virus
  • Influenza B virus
  • H1N1 pdm
  • Influenza A (H3N2) virus

 

  1. Human metapneumovirusviruses-A/B

 

  1. Viral Meningitis Panel kit

Pathogens covered:

  • Human Adenovirus
  • Enterovirus
  • Human Parecho virus
  • HSV 1 & 2
  • Mumps virus
  • Human Parvovirus B19
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Varicella Zoster Virus
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • HHV 6
  • HHV 7

 

  1. Tropical Fever Panel kit

Pathogens covered:

  • Chikungunya virus
  • Plasmodium Species
  • Rickettsia species
  • Dengue virus
  • Zika virus
  • Orientia tsutsugamushi (S. typhus)
  • Salmonella Species
  • Leptospira Species
  • West Nile Virus

 

  1. TORCH Panel kit
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Toxoplasma gondii
  • Rubella virus
  • Herpes Simplex viruses 1
  • Herpes Simplex viruses 2

 

  1. Human Papilloma Virus

 

  1. Hepatitis C Virus

 

 

Advanced Molecular Infrastructure

Backed by some of the most sophisticated platforms in modern virology, our lab is equipped to support routine diagnostics, pathogen discovery, strain tracking, and research-grade molecular investigations:

  • Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) – For ultra-sensitive quantification of viral RNA/DNA
  • Oxford Nanopore MinION – Portable real-time genome sequencing
  • Illumina MiSeq i100 – Next-generation sequencing for high-throughput viral genomics
  • Real-time PCR platforms, ELISA workstations, and automated extraction systems

These tools position AIIMS Rajkot VRDL at the forefront of genomic surveillance, variant tracking, and molecular diagnostics for emerging and re-emerging viral infections.

 

Quality & Accreditation

  • Participates in EQA programs by ICMR, NIV Pune
  • Processes are aligned with NABL accreditation standards – VRDL is in active pursuit of NABL certification
  • Comprehensive biosafety protocols and quality assurance mechanisms in place

 

Current Research Projects (ICMR-Funded)

We are currently executing nine major research projects focused on surveillance, diagnostics, evolution, and public health policy. These projects reflect our lab’s active role in India’s virological research ecosystem:

  1. Molecular Surveillance of Respiratory Viral Infections in Pediatric Patients – A hospital-based study on circulating strains and clinical profiles
  2. Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Carriage – Epidemiological and molecular characterization at a tertiary care level
  3. Influenza Surveillance & Seasonality Study – Data-driven insights for vaccination strategies
  4. Chikungunya Virus Surveillance – Genomic and serological analysis to inform outbreak preparedness
  5. Post-COVID Impact on Influenza – GISAID-based study on strain evolution across pandemic waves
  6. Mumps in the Vaccination Era – Investigating the recent surge of mumps cases in immunized children
  7. Dengue Molecular Epidemiology & Climate Linkage – DENV strain typing and implications for vaccine targeting
  8. Zika Virus in Pregnancy – Viral burden and outcomes among pregnant women in Gujarat
  9. Development of a Multiplex RT-PCR Kit – For simultaneous detection of key respiratory viruses in clinical samples

These projects reflect our One Health commitment, our response-readiness, and our dedication to translational research that bridges the lab and the field.

 

Looking Ahead

  • Development of in-house kits and validation protocols
  • Expansion into next-generation sequencing and genomic surveillance
  • Integration with national digital platforms for real-time reporting
  • Establishment of a biorepository and regional One Health surveillance hub

 

 

 

Research

Driving Discovery, Strengthening Systems, Informing Policy

 

The Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease at AIIMS Rajkot leads a broad spectrum of clinical, laboratory, translational, and public health research projects. These projects are strategically distributed across institutionally supported intramural work, government-funded extramural programs, and a dedicated VRDL-led virology surveillance arm, aligning with national priorities in infectious disease control, diagnostics, and One Health.

 

I. Intramural Research Projects

 

These projects are investigator-initiated and institutionally supported, reflecting our focus on clinical relevance, translational potential, and student mentorship.

  1. Anti-CCP Titres and Disease Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
  2. Evaluation of Anti-HBs Antibody Titers in Vaccinated Healthcare Workers at AIIMS Rajkot
  3. Clinical and Molecular Correlates of Metronidazole Resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis
  4. Clinico-Mycological Trends in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Gynecology OPD
  5. RCT on Disinfection Effectiveness of Two Irrigation Needle Types in Pediatric Endodontics
  6. CHW-Driven HPV Self-Sampling Cervical Cancer Screening: Acceptability & Implementation Challenges

 

II. Extramural Research Projects

 

These projects are supported by major national agencies including ICMR, DHR, and NOHP-PCZ, and are geared toward system strengthening, disease surveillance, and community-level health improvement.

  1. Nationwide Network of Epidemic Preparedness Laboratories – Under PM-ABHIM
  2. Upgradation of VRDL to BSL-3 Facility – Flagship infrastructure mission under PM-ABHIM
  3. Establishment of Regional Coordinator – One Health Programme (NOHP-PCZ)
  4. Anemia in Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls: Biochemical and Dietary Determinants
  5. Engaging Youth in Hypertension Prevention: A Community Mobilization Model
  6. Sero-Prevalence of HBV and HCV in Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls in Gujarat

 

III. VRDL-Funded Research Projects (ICMR)

 

Under the guidance of ICMR, our Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory is executing a range of high-priority projects in molecular surveillance, virus evolution, diagnostic innovation, and vaccine response mapping.

  1. Molecular Surveillance of Respiratory Viruses in Pediatric Patients
  2. Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Carriers: Epidemiological & Molecular Characterization
  3. Influenza Molecular Surveillance & Seasonality-Based Vaccine Strategy
  4. Chikungunya Virus: Serological and Genomic Monitoring in Rajkot
  5. Post-COVID Impact on Influenza Strain Evolution via GISAID Data
  6. Rise of Mumps in Vaccinated Children: A Hospital-Based Study
  7. Dengue Serotyping and Molecular Epidemiology Linked to Climate Variability
  8. Zika Virus Surveillance in Pregnant Women and Clinical Outcomes
  9. Development of a Multiplex RT-PCR Kit for Respiratory Viral Panels

 

Research with Real-World Impact

  • Strengthening diagnostic services across Gujarat
  • Informing local and national vaccination policies
  • Addressing AMR and diagnostic stewardship
  • Building genomic surveillance capacity for pandemic preparedness
  • Innovating point-of-care molecular diagnostics for India