Activities of Virology Unit

Training

Real-Time PCR training for detection of pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) during the 2009 outbreakTo ensure staff competency on diagnostic of various methods the Virology Unit organizes various training programs annually. These programmes include laboratory techniques demonstration and hands-on and training on usage and handling of equipments. Apart from that the Virology Unit also has organized some talks delivered by the research officers pertaining to outbreak investigation and important findings. Virology Unit is also actively involved in delivering lectures and laboratory practical sessions for two main diploma courses organized by SEAMEO-TROPMED Regional Centre for Medical Microbiology, Parasitology & Entomology. These two courses are Diploma in Applied Parasitology and Entomology and Diploma in Medical Microbiology.

At times, the Virology Unit also offers training to other laboratories and hospitals in the country related to laboratory techniques in diagnosis of diseases. For instance, during the 2009 pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, the Virology Unit, IMR enrolled as the reference laboratory for running the investigation and diagnosis of the disease by Real-Time PCR. During that period, we have provided trainings to several other hospitals and laboratories to enable them to conduct the diagnosis of Influenza A(H1N1) in their own settings.

Proteomics SDS-Page technique demonstration

Viral RNA extraction training

Research

List of the studies conducted in Virology Unit in the last 5 years:

1. Maternal and paediatric HIV in the Malaysian setting
2. HIV Sero-surveillance in Malaysia
3. Seasonal Influenza Surveillance in Malaysia
4. Genetic analysis and antiviral resistance study of influenza virus circulation in Malaysia
5. Determination of Biomarkers and Development of Test Kit for Laboratory Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis and Other Arboviruses
6. Incidence of Japanese Encephalitis in Malaysia
7. Viral aetiology of Acute Flaccid Paralysis
8. The role of Carica Papaya leave juice as food supplement in Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Grade I and II in Hospital Sungai Buloh: Determination of differentially expressed proteins in serum by proteomics.
9. Detection of Biomarkers in Early Dengue Patients for Possible Prediction of Severe Dengue Disease (DHF/DSS)
10. Evaluation on the use of Dotscan Array incorporating possible biomarkers for severe dengue, among out patients suspected of dengue infection in Emergency Department and dengue In patients at Hospital Selayang
11. Dengue virus type and genotype surveillance in entry points of Malaysia, Kelantan, Johor, Klang Valley
12. Molecular epidemiology of Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV71) strains isolated in Peninsular Malaysia from year 2008 – 2009 based on the complete VP4 gene
13. Clinical and Laboratory assessment of congenital rubella and cytomegalovirus infections in Malaysia
14. Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women and associated role in obstetric complications
15. Monitoring of H275Y resistance in pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) isolated from Malaysian patients.