Virology

Testing for HBV RNA and HBV core related antigen in HBV infected cases. The Department played a significant national role during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing the Institute's Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility for SARS-CoV-2 virus culture and antiviral development. It served as a satellite laboratory for the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) and functioned as a sentinel site for genomic surveillance in Delhi. In addition, the Department of Clinical Virology contributed to the 4th, 5th, and 6th SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in Delhi through IgG antibody detection, enhancing understanding of population-level immunity trends. The department leads several public health initiatives, including a comprehensive Needle Stick Injury (NSI) Control Program supported by a dedicated reporting and monitoring platform (nsi.ilbs.in). As a part of WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, it plays a key role in national capacity-building efforts by conducting training programs for microbiologists and laboratory personnel across India, thereby strengthening expertise in advanced virological diagnostics. The department also contributed to the development of guidelines for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program. It also serves as State Reference Laboratory for viral load testing (HBV/HCV) under the State Viral Hepatitis Control Program in Delhi.

In the academic domain, the Department has introduced several specialized educational programs to nurture expertise in virology. These include the Post-Doctoral Certificate Courses (PDCC) in Diagnostic Virology and Transplant Virology. Notably, it is the first department in a government institution to launch the NMC-approved super-specialty DM Virology program - a pioneering and unique initiative in the field of Microbiology. Through its unwavering dedication to excellence in diagnostics, research, public health, and education, the Department of Clinical Virology at ILBS has firmly established itself as a premier authority in clinical virology in India.

Services rendered by the Department:

• Serology

  • Hepatotropic viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV)
  • Non- Hepatotropic viruses (CMV, EBV, HSV 1& 2,VZV)
  • Special assays- HBsAg quantitative
  • Other Viruses: HIV, Dengue

• Molecular

  • Hepatotropic viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV) by Real-time PCR
  • Cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test for HCV, HIV, Influenza and SARS-CoV-2
  • HBV and HCV genotyping
  • HBV drug resistance testing
  • HCV Resistance Associated Substitutions (RASs) testing
  • Transplant related viruses (CMV, EBV, HSV-1&2, VZV, HHV-6/7, Parvovirus B-19, Adenoviruses, BKV) by Real-time PCR
  • Multiplex Real time PCR for respiratory viruses
  • Real Time PCR for SARS-CoV-2
  • Dengue Virus serotyping

• Whole Genome Sequencing

  • Whole Genome Sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 any other Virus

• New Diagnostic tests under development

  • Mutational analysis as Whole Genome Sequencing for HBV,HCV
  • Quantitative HBV core related antigen test
  • Quantitative HBV RNA test
  • Drug resistance testing for CMV

• Needle stick injury and Health care workers vaccination assistance

  • Centralized NSI reporting through nsi.ilbs.in
  • ost exposure prophylaxis and counseling
  • HBV vaccination at the time of recruitment
  • Anti-HBs titre determination- at the time of recruitment and following vaccination

• State Reference laboratory for Viral Hepatitis

  • HBV DNA Quantitative Real Time PCR
  • HCV RNA Quantitative Real Time PCR

Serology Lab

Molecular Lab

Details of the Educational activities hosted by the department in 2025:

Training program under “National Viral Hepatitis Control Program

As a part of the National program, the department continues to train different Healthcare workers on Viral Hepatitis. 3 trainings were conducted this year: 25.02.2025, 20.03.2025 and 29.11.2025. Medical officers and laboratory technicians working across Delhi State attended this training program. A total of 76 medical officers attended the training. The program provided in-depth training on laboratory diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis, quality control measures, whole genome sequencing, needle stick injury and post exposure prophylaxis along with a visit to the Department demonstrating various serological and molecular diagnostic methods.

Technician Training program on “Viral Hepatitis

Date: 26.06.2025
Department of Clinical Virology under the aegis of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists-Delhi Chapter (IAMM-DC) conducted a one-day technician training programme on 'Viral Hepatitis.' A total of 36 technicians working in 18 different institutes/ hospitals (both government and private sectors) attended this training program. The programme focused on serological and molecular diagnostics, quality control, result interpretation, and common diagnostic pitfalls. Sessions on biosafety, Good Lab Practices, and needle-stick injury management were included, along with hands-on laboratory demonstrations for assay interpretation and troubleshooting.

Phlebotomy Essentials- Training for Laboratory Professionals

The Department of Clinical Virology conducted one day training programme for phlebotomists. 25 phlebotomists from different institutions across the city attended the training. The programme provided insight on pre analytical variables along with hands on training to the phlebotomists.

Viral Infection in Transplant Recipients

Date: 29.10.2025
The Department of Clinical Virology conducted a one-day Pre-Conference Workshop on 'Viral Infections in Transplant Recipients' as part of MICROCON 2025 on 29.10.2025. The workshop was attended by 26 MD, Microbiologists across the country. The workshop provided an in-depth understanding of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of viral infections in transplant settings, with a focus on viral reactivation in immunosuppressed patients. The lectures were delivered by Eminent faculties from leading centers across the nation. The workshop concluded with a guided visit to the Transplant ICU and the Genome Sequencing Facility of the hospital.

CME on- Viral Hepatitis Diagnostics: An Update

Date: 03.11.2025
The Department of Clinical Virology conducted a CME on- Viral Hepatitis Diagnostics on 03.11.2025 which was attended by 30 participants. The CME was organized to discuss the diagnostic approaches to help achieve elimination goals for viral hepatitis.

Courses offered by the Department

Departmental Achievements

• DM Virology course under NMC was initiated by the Department, it is first of its kind to start in any Government Institute under NMC in the Country.
• Dr. Ekta Gupta was awarded Dr. S C Agarwal Oration Award in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Swekcha Ranjan won 2nd position in Prof P.K. Pillai award during Annual Conference of Delhi Chapter IAMM.
• The Department was recognised as the State Reference laboratory for the performance of viral load testing (HBV/HCV) from the designated sites in Delhi under the aegis of State Viral Hepatitis Control Program.
• The Department was awarded as the Cleanest department, in a Inter Institute competition held during the Swachhata week campaign by the Institute.
• Dr Swekcha Ranjan presented poster titled-'Consequences of Respiratory Viral Infections in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients: Insights from a single Centre.' in MICRO-D-CON (1st chapter) 2025 held in New Delhi on 3rd May 2025.
• Dr Smrithi Maniraj presented poster titled-'Hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in children in the era of HBV Vaccination: An underestimated entity.' in MICRO-D-CON (1st chapter) 2025 held in New Delhi on 3rd May 2025.
• Dr Swekcha Ranjan presented poster titled-'Adenovirus-associated Acute Liver Failure: Insights from the first Indian Case series.' in MICRO-D-CON (2nd chapter) 2025 held in New Delhi on 30th August 2025.
• Dr Reshu Agarwal presented paper titled 'Clinical impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection in adult liver disease cases' under IAMM award category- ID Aggarwal - Broor prize for the Best paper in Virology in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Nilakshi Gupta presented paper titled 'Clinical outcome and severity in acute HEV infection in patients with pre-existing liver disease- a study from tertiary care liver hospital' under IAMM award category- ID Aggarwal - Broor prize for the Best paper in Virology in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Swekcha Ranjan presented paper titled 'Respiratory Viral Infections in Liver transplant recipients: Need for comprehensive Vaccination Approach' under IAMM award category- ID Aggarwal - Broor prize for the Best paper in Virology in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Smrithi Maniraj presented paper titled 'Evaluating Serum HBV RNA Across Clinical Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Potential Biomarker for Disease Stratification.' under IAMM award category- ID Aggarwal - Broor prize for the Best paper in Virology in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Aarzoo Chander presented poster titled 'Unmasking Parainfluenza: Hidden threat in patients with liver disease.' in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.
• Dr Mayuri Baruah presented poster titled 'Hepatitis A seroprevalence in liver disease cases: Need for targeted immunization.' in 48th Annual Conference of IAMM held at New Delhi from 29th October to 2nd November 2025.