About us:

The Department of Experimental Medicine (DEM) is the first department to be started in the Medical University in the year 1992. Its focus has been on infectious diseases and mainly on HIV/AIDS and Leptospirosis. The Department is involved in multidisciplinary research to address the challenging issues that are relevant to the society. The department has proved its excellence at both national and international level in education and research in HIV and Leptospirosis. This department was the first in the country to provide rural PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV) services from the year 2000 onward at Namakkal District, Tamilnadu. In the year 2009 the department has been recognized as a Referral Laboratory for HIV DNA PCR testing by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Government of India. The Department is also recognized as a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for HIV testing under the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) of NACO since the year 2000.

The Department’s activities involve: 

• Education and Training
•  Research Programs
•   Diagnostic Services
•   National Reference Center for HIV/AIDS
•   Implementation of MTCT program at rural areas of Tamilnadu.

 ACADEMICS :

Courses : One year PG Diploma Course on HIV/AIDS has been sanctioned.

Ph.D Degree: The Department has full-time and part-time research programs leading to Ph.D degrees. 5 Research Scholars have been awarded Ph.D Degrees. At present the Department has two part-time Research Scholars.

International Conferences: The Department conducted Five International Conferences on “AIDS India” in the years 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 & 2005. Around 7500 health care workers attended the conferences. 300 International experts on HIV/AIDS delivered lectures and participated.

 Training/Workshops/Seminar :

• Regular HIV/AIDS training programs are conducted in the Department for the Medical community since 1992.

• EQAS (External Quality Assurance Scheme) training program is conducted biannually for Microbiologists and Laboratory technicians of Government Medical Colleges of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Pondicherry since 2000 to bring qualitative improvement in the laboratories involved in HIV testing.

• The Department conducted one-day training program “Training of Trainers (TOT) on Dried Blood Spots (DBS) collection in infant diagnosis of HIV by DNA PCR Test” on 21/09/07. This was in association with the Tamilnadu State AIDS Control Society and Clinton Foundation. This training was attended by Microbiologists and Pediatricians from 5 Government Medical Colleges of Tamilnadu. Subsequently Doctors, Laboratory Technicians and Nurses from Integrated Counselling Testing Centers(ICTC) and Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) centers of Tamilnadu and Tiruvallur districts were trained (in batches) in DBS collection in 2008 and 2009.

• An “HIV Update” was conducted for 120 Medical Doctors of Tamilnadu on April 2008. Dr Ann J Melvin and Ms Nina Ellis from the University of Washington, Seattle delivered lectures. Dr Thor Wagner from University of Washington, Seattle,USA  along with the Department faculty delivered lectures on Prevention of HIV/AIDS to the students of Vivekananda College of Arts and Science to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1^st 2007.

• 10 days Residential Course on HIV/AIDS Clinical Management  funded by AIDS Prevention And  Control (APAC)- Voluntary Health Services VHS (USAID) was conducted at Namakkal Government Hospital. 212 doctors from Tamilnadu and Pondicherry were trained in 10 batches in the year 2006. Alumni meet was held on 21^st May 2007 at Namakkal. 
• 3 days Doctors Training Program on HIV/AIDS was conducted in 2 batches at Namakkal Government Hospital for 50 doctors associated with Tamilnadu AIDS Initiative  (TAI/VHS) in 2007.   
• The Medical Universities initiative to support the scaling up of ART in India –Certificate course was conducted in April 2004. 131 doctors from 3 Southern states of India & 4 International speakers participated. It was conducted in collaboration with 3 Medical Universities (TN. Dr. MGR Medical University, NTR University of Health Sciences-Andhra Pradesh, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences, Karnataka).
• Structured Course on “Mother to Child Transmission of HIV” was conducted in Namakkal, August 2004. It was attended by 42 doctors and 27 nurses from the different states of India. Dr. Ann Melvin, Pediatrician from the University of Washington, Seattle was the international faculty.
• The Department assisted in Counselling and HIV testing as part of Health Education program conducted at Kolli Hills, Namakkal in October 2004. The program was organized in the Government High School. It was inaugurated by the District Collector Thiru.V.M. Xavier Chrisso Nayagam,. Dr. Saroja THADCO Chairman, Dr. C Velayutham, Deputy Director, Dr. G.Arunagiri Joint Director attended the program.
• “Intercollegiate Freshers HIV/AIDS Awareness Workshop” was conducted on October 16th, 2004 at Nala Hotel, Namakkal. This workshop was organized by the Department in association with Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). 686 students from various Medical and Paramedical colleges around Namakkal participated in the workshop
• Inter Collegiate Awareness workshop on HIV/AIDS was held on 29.11.04 at IMAGE auditorium, Chennai.1200 participants from the Medical and Paramedical colleges attended the workshop.
• A weeklong workshop on “Training of the Trainers in Counselling” was conducted in August 5-9^th, 2003. NACO along with the Department and Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society had worked together to train 37 academicians and provided them 25 hours of Lecture along with interactive sessions and a visit to TB Sanatorium Hospital , Tambaram
• The NICHD protocol training program was conducted from 17 Nov – 20^th Dec 2003.The training program was attended by the Principal Investigators, Project Co-ordinators, Nurses, Counselors, Laboratory Technicians, Nutritionists and courier personal of the project. Pregnant women at Namakkal and Rasipuram Government Hospitals were enrolled into the project from 30^th December 2003.

• First structured course on MTCT in India: Certificate Course on Mother to Child Transmission (of HIV) was conducted from March 25^th -31^st 2002. The course was designed to provide information and training of MTCT to Medical Doctors working with HIV/AIDS. 37 Pediatricians and Obstetricians from 8 states in India participated .Dr.Lisa Frenkel, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine from the University of Washington were the International Faculty for this course. The course was funded by the World AIDS Foundation.

•  In association with International AIDS Society (SHARE), 3 programs were conducted in 1999, 2002 and 2003 respectively. Satellite Symposia on “Management of HIV infected patients was conducted in 1999, “Antiretroviral Update” in 2002 and   “Clinical management of HIV/AIDS for the Physicians” in 2003. Medical doctors from all over the country participated in these programs.   

• Training on MTCT was conducted in batches for 161 Village Health Nurses (VHN) at Namakkal district, September, 2000.

• Training program on counseling and HIV testing was conducted in association with the National AIDS Control Organization for Microbiologists, Laboratory Technicians and Counsellors from Government Colleges and Hospital in South India, 1999

• Round Table Conference on Prevention of HIV Transmission from mothers to infants –strategies for India. November 6th-8th, 1998 was conducted.

• In association with Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, HIV/AIDS Training was provided for 40 Microbiologists and 80 laboratory technicians in 6 batches, 1997.

• International Conference on Challenge of Leptospirosis was conducted from September 8th-10th, 1997.

• HIV update was conducted by the Department on February 5^th, 1997.

• “South Asian Workshop on Diagnostic Methods in Leptospirosis” (SAWDIL) was organized by the Department from January 9th-11th, 1995

• Round Table Conference on AIDS Case Definition appropriate for India  was held on July 29th and 30th, 1995.

• Certificate Course on HIV/TB was conducted by the Department in Dec 11th-16th, 1994

•  Awareness programs on HIV/AIDS was conducted at Medical Schools both in City and rural areas, by public lectures and discussion in 1993.

 The following experts have provided lectures in the Department:

1. Dr Hans Hager, Germany
2. Dr Joep Lange, Netherlands
3. Dr Elizabeth Dax, Australia,
4. Dr Ann J Melvin,  USA
5. Dr Lisa Frenkel,  USA
6. Dr. Tim Mastro, USA
7. Dr Gareth Tudor Williams, UK
8. Dr Jennifer Read, USA
9. Dr Francoise Dabis, France
10. Dr. Michael Kazatskine, France
11. Dr. Wendy Holmes, Australia
12. Dr. Stefano Vella, Italy
13. Dr. Florence , Sweden
14. Dr. Hageman, Sweden
15. Dr Richard Portman, Netherlands
16. Ms. Amanda Murphy, UK
17. Dr. Koen Rompay,USA
18. Dr. Mark Weinberg,Canada

PUBLICATIONS

Journal Publications:

Jennifer S. Read, MD, N. M. Samuel, Parameshwari Srijayanth, Shoba Dharmarajan, Hannah M. Van Hook, Mini Jacob, MD, Viju Junankar, James Bethel, Eunice Yu, MPH, and Sonia K. Stoszek. Infants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Women in Rural South India: Feeding Patterns and Risk of Mother-to-Child Transmission. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.  Volume 29, Number 1, January 2010: 14-17.

Sivakumar M. R, Sanath Kumar J, Viswanath R, Thatchinamoorthy G, Mini Jacob & Samuel N M. Western blot pattern in HIV positive individuals in Namakkal, South India. The Internet Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2008 Volume 6 Number 2

Srijayanth Parameshwari, Mini S Jacob, JJ Vijaykumari, Diana Shalini, Mary Sushi, Sivakumar MR. A program on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV at government hospital, Tiruchengode taluk, Namakkal district. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Volume 34, Issue 3, July 2009: 261-263

Radhakrishnan R, Samuel NM, Mini Jacob S, Murthy B.N, Parameshwari S, Kavitha D, Hans Jager. Transmission of Cell free (CFV) HIV-1 RNA through breast feeding: a pilot study in Chennai-India. Libyan Journal of Infectious Diseases. Vol 3 No.1 January 2009: 37-43

Mini Jacob S , Anitha D , Vishwanath R , Parameshwari S , Samuel NM. The use of dried blood spots on filter paper for the diagnosis of HIV-1 in infants born to HIV seropositive women. (Indian J Med Microbiol. 2008 Jan-Mar; 26(1): 71-74.

 Ingrid A Beck, Claudia Crowell, Robin Kittoe, Helba Bredell, Molefe Machaba, Carolyn Willamson, Wouter Janssens, Sabelle Jallow, Guindo van der Groen, Yiming Shao, Mini Jacob, N.M.Samuel, Ivette Lorenzana de Rivera, Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huang, Sharon Cassol, Geprge Alemnji, Lisa M Frenkel. Optimzation of the Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay, a rapid and inexpensive test for detection of HIV-1 Drug resistance mutations for Non-North American Variants. J Acqir Immuno Defic Syndr. Volume 48, No.4, August 1, 2008: 418-427

Annie Phoebe K, Mini Jacob, Samuel NM, Sivakumar M.R., Meer Mustafa Hussain K. Serum Leptin Levels and Metabolic Alterations in HIV- infected Antiretroviral-naïve Individuals in South India. Reviews in Antiviral Therapy 2008 volume 4, page 34.

Samuel N.M, P. Srijayanth, S. Dharmarajan, J. Bethel, H. Van Hook, M. Jacob, V. Junankar J. Chamberlin, D. Collins & J.S. Read. Acceptance of HIV-1 education & voluntary counselling/testing by & seroprevalence of HIV-1 among, pregnant women in rural south India. Indian Journal of  Medical  Research  125, January 2007, pp 49-64.

 Jennifer S. Read, N.M. Samuel, S. Parameshwari, Shoba Dharmarajan, Hannah M. Van Hook, S. Mini Jacob, Viju Junankar, James Bethel, Jiahong Xu, and Sonia K. Stoszek Safety of HIV-1 Perinatal Transmission Prophylaxis With Zidovudine and Nevirapine in Rural South India. Journal of International Association of Physicians on AIDS Care (Chic Ill) 2007 6: 125-136

 Deepti Gupta, Dekey Lhewa, R. Viswanath, S. Mini Jacob, S. Parameshwari, R. Radhakrishnan, Kristy Seidel, Lisa M. Frenkel, NM Samuel, and Ann J. Melvin. Effectiveness of antenatal group HIV voluntary counseling and testing services in rural India. AIDS Education and Prevention, 19(3), 187–197, 2007.

Samuel N M, Mini Jacob, Ravichandran R, Muthusethupathi MA, Sundari V G “Prevalence of HIV infection among renal transplant patients in Madras, India.” Journal of Association of Physicians of India. Volume 44 May 1996 Page 358.

Abstract Publications :

Ganesan A, Anitha D, Jacob Mini, Sivakumar.M.R. and Meer Mustafa Hussain K

“Leptospirosis coinfection among HIV infected patients in Chennai, India.” 5^th IAS

Conference on HIV Pathogenesis Treatment and Prevention 19-22^nd July 2009, Cape Town, South Africa. 2009. Abstract No. A-155-0067-02856 

E Ramesh Kumar, R Ravikumar, Jagadeesan, Mini Jacob, Parameshwari, NM Samuel. The Efficacy and adverse effects of combination of stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine among adult HIV patients in Namakkal, Tamilnadu. International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens in AIDS. Conference Proceedings. January 27-29, New Delhi, 2008, No.16, p175.

Lipid profile alternations in HIV Infected antitetroviral-naïve individuals. Annie Phoebe K, Mini Jacob, Vijayakumari JJ, Ganesan A, Samuel NM. International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens in AIDS. Conference Proceedings. January 27-29, New Delhi, 2008, No.09, p172.

Mini Jacob, Anitha D, Viswanath R, Ganesan A, Parameshwari S. Feasibility of using DNA PCR on Dried Blood Spots for diagnosis of HIV-1 in infants in a PMTCT program in South India. International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens in AIDS. Conference Proceedings. January 27-29, New Delhi, 2008, PP-08, p150.

Thilagavathy Chinnusamy, Antony Jennit, Vijayakumari JJ, Parameshwari S, Mini Jacob, Samuel NM. Outcome of the lower segment caesarian section (LSCS) in HIV positive women at District Head Quarter Hospital, Namakkal. International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens in AIDS. Conference Proceedings. January 27-29, New Delhi, 2008, OP-15, p137.

S.Parameshwari, S.Mini Jacob, JJ.Vijayakumari., Antony Jennit., NM.Samuel, MR.Sivakumar, K.Meer Mustafa Hussain. Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV Program in Rural South India  (ANC as a Entry Point). HIV Congress 2008 March 21^st -23^rd Mumbai, India  

Sivakumar. M.R., Sanath Kumar J, Viswanath R, Thatchinamoorthy G, Mini Jacob, NM. Samuel, Meer Mustafa Hussain. K. Western Blot Pattern in HIV Positive Individuals in Namakkal, South India. HIV Congress 2008 March 21^st -23^rd Mumbai, India

Ganesan A, Anitha D, Jacob Mini, Parameswari S, Sivakumar M.R., Meer Mustafa Hussain. K. Leptospira Infection in Seropositive HIV Subjects in Chennai, South India. HIV Congress 2008 March 21^st -23^rd,  Mumbai, India.  

Mini Jacob, Anitha D, JJ Vijayakumari, Parameshwari, Ann Melvin, Lisa Frenkel, Samuel NM Detection of the onset of drug resistant mutations in pregnant women receiving single dose Nevirapine in Namakkal, Tamilnadu, using Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay.4^th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. 22-25^th July 2007, Sidney, Australia. Abstract No. TUPEB035

Mini Jacob, Parameshwari Srijayanth, Shoba Dharmarajan, NM Samuel, Doreen Collins, Sonia Stoszek, Viju Junankar, James Bethel, Jennifer S Read. Severe neutropenia among HIV-1-exposed infants according to maternal antiretroviral prophylaxis regimen. Eighth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 12-16 November 2006 Glasgow, UK. Abstract No. P386.

Shoba Dharmarajan, NM Samuel, Parameshwari Srijayanth, James Bethel, Hannah Vanhook, Mini Jacob, Viju Junankar, Doreen Collin, Jennifer Read. Hemoglobin among HIV-1-infected pregnant women in rural India according to antiretroviral prophylaxis regimens. Eighth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 12-16 November 2006 Glasgow, UK. Abstract No. P384

R Radhakrishnan, S Mini Jacob, S Kavitha Daniel, NM Samuel. Transmission of cell free HIV-1 RNA through breast feeding: a pilot study in Chennai, India. Eighth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 12-16 November 2006 Glasgow, UK. Abstract No. P375

 B J Srihari, Mini Jacob S, Sunderavalli A, Lakshmi Devi R, Murthy BM, Bhirmanandham CV, Samuel NM. Maternal CD4 T cell counts, viral load and subtype in association with HIV-1 perinatal transmission. . 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment. Rio de Janeiro. 2005

Vijayakumari J., Rukmani R., Anuradha G., Jacob M., Srijeyanth P., Samuel N.M. Discordant couples among HIV positive pregnant women in PMTCT Program. 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment. Rio de Janeiro. 2005 (Abstract No.TuOa0305)

Dharmarajan S, Srijayanth P, Read J, Samuel N, Jacob M, Van Hook H, Elango R, Collind D, Junankar V, Bethel J. “Risk factors for HIV-1 seropositivity  among pregnant women in rural Tamilnadu, India”. The 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24-27^th July, 2005 Abstract No TuPe5.IP05

Srijayanth P, Dharmarajan S, Read J, Jacob M, Samuel N, Elango R, Junankar V, Collins D, Van Hook H, Bethel J.  “Baseline Knowledge regarding HIV infection and Transmission among pregnant women in Rural Tamilnadu, India”   The 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24-27^th July, 2005. Abstract No.TuPe5.5P13

Dharmarajan S, Srijayanth P, Samuel N, Collins D, Van Hook H, Elango R, Jacob M, Jaunakar V, Bethel J, Read J “Acceptability of enrollment into a prospective cohort study and of a more complex antiretroviral prophylaxis regimen: Operational Research in Rural India” The 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24-27^th July, 2005. Abstract No.MoPe11.7C04

Jennifer S Read MD MPH, NM Samuel MBBS, PHD, Parameshwari Srijayanth MBBS, Hannah Van Hook BS, Shoba Dharmarajan MBBS, Mini Jacob MBBS MD, Viju Junankar BS, James Bethel PHD. “HIV infection among pregnant women in rural Tamilnadu, India” IDSA, Boston, 2004

 G Thatchinamoorthy, S Ruckmani, S M Jacob “ Infections waste disposal, infection control strategies and needle stick injuries in a rural clinical setting” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B11840 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B11840]

K Mary Sushi, S Mini Jacob, R Viswanath, S Parameshwari, N M Samuel “External Quality assurance in voluntary counseling & testing centres in Southern India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B11136 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B11136]

S M Jacob, S Parameshwari, N M Samuel “ Implementation of HIV mother-to-child transmission prevention program in a Primary Health Center in India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);E12214 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):E12214]

R Radhakrishnan, S Mini Jacob, S Parameshwari, R Rukmani, N M Samuel “ Infant feeding practices and its effect on infants born to HIV seropositive women – Tamilnadu, India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B11912 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B11912]

 D Shoba, S Parameshwari, S M Jacob, N M Samuel “ Follow up of children of HIV seropositive women from a cohort in rural South India – A Clinical report” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B12580 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B12580]

R Viswanath, S Mini Jacob, N M Samuel “HIV-1 subtypes circulate in South India “The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);A10245 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):A10245]

S Parameshwari, J Saramini, K Mary Sushi, N M Samuel “Detection of discordant couples in a routine PMTCT clinic in India The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B11112 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B11112]

B J Srihari, S M Jacob, A Sundaravalli, B Lakshmi Devi, N M Samuel “HIV-1 subtype in relation to perinatal transmission among seropositive pregnant women of South India The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);C12676 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):C12676]

 P Srijanth, N M Samuel, J S Read, J Bethel, S Dharmarajan, J Chamberlin, S M Jacob, H Van Hook “Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV among pregnant women in rural Tamilnadu, India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);B11464 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):B11464]

J J Vijayakumrai, J Sara Mini, N M Samuel “Challenges encountered in administering the second dose Nevirapine to the infants born to HIV positive women in Namakkal PMTCT Project, India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);ThPeB7034 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):ThPeB7034]

 J S Read, N M Samuel , P Srijayanth, H Van Hook, S Dharmarajan, S M Jacob,   V Junankar, J Bethel “Seroprevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women in rural Tamilnadu, India” The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);ThPeC7300 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):ThPeC7300]

D Anitha, R Viswanath, S M Jacob, N M Samuel “Cost effective HIV DNA PCR using dried blood spots in resource constrained settings”   The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);WePpB2058 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul 11;1(1):WePpB2058

NM Samuel, S Mini Jacob, S Parameshwari, R Vishwanathan, CV Bhirmanandham, G Arunagiri, JJ Vijayakumari, K Dheenabandhu “Prevention of mother to infant programme in Rural India has facilitated HIV Prevention, ART and Care of the infected”. The XV International AIDS Conference 2004 July 11;6(3);ThPeB7078 [eJIAS, 2004 Jul11;1(1):ThPeB7078]

D Anitha, R Vishwanath, SM Jacob and NM Samuel “Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoea in pooled urine samples by Multiplex PCR” The 2^nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Paris, France, 13-16^th July, 2003. Abstract No.1277 page S532.

 R Radhakrishnan, S Mini Jacob, S Parameshwari, CV Bhirmanandham and NM Samuel “Exclusive breastfeeding practices: A myth or reality” The 2^nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Paris, France, 13-16^th July, 2003. Abstract No.1066 page S486.

BJ Srihari, M Jacob, S Rajasekaran, VC Bhirmanandham and NM Samuel “Correlation of CD4 T cells with Total Lymphocyte Counts (TLC)- A marker for monitoring HIV/AIDS patients in resource limited settings” The 2^nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Paris, France, 13-16^th July, 2003. Abstract No.477 page S310

Parameshwari S, Vijayakumari J, Mini Jacob, Viswanath R, Anitha D and Samuel NM “Nevirapine In unregistered Seropositive mother at Namakkal government hospital in south India” 14^th international AIDS conference, Barcelona, July 2002.

Mary Sushi K, Mini Jacob, Parameshwari S, Vishwanath R, Samuel N M “Importance of External Quality control scheme in HIV testing in Resource limited setting in India” 14^th international AIDS conference, Barcelona, July 2002.

 Mini Jacob, Parameshwari S, Vishwanath R, Sushi M, Samuel NM “Impact of HIV/AIDS education among students in rural Tamilnadu, India” 14^th international AIDS conference, Barcelona, July 2002.

Radhakrishnan, , Mini Jacob, Parameshwari S, Vishwanath R, Mary K, Anitha D, Samuel N M-“Breast feeding a marker for discrimination in HIV positive mothers”- 14^th international AIDS conference, Barcelona, July 2002.

 Viswanath R, Mini Jacob S, Shaffi Ahamed S, Joshi PL and Samuel N M- “Qualitative DNA PCR for HIV-1 diagnosis in Infants” 14^th international AIDS conference, Barcelona, July 2002.

 Samuel N M, Parameshwari S, Mini Jacob S, Hari B, Vishwanath R, “ Assessing intervention to reduce vertical transmission of HIV in Namakkal – rural hospital in south India”- 1^st IAS conference on HIV pathogenesis and treatment 2001” No.756 (page 308)

Mini Jacob S, Parameshwari S, Mary Sushi K, Viswanath R, Anitha S, Samuel N M- “Is Viral load essential for ARV”- 3^rd International conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 2001.

 Mini Jacob S, Radhakrishnan, Parameshwari S, Samuel N M. “Breast feeding pattern in Tamilnadu”- 3^rd International Conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 2001.

Radhakrishnan, Parameshwari S, Mini JacobS, Samuel N M. “Breast feeding a marker for discrimination in HIV positive mothers”- 3^rd International conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 2001.

Srihari B J, Mini JacobS, Parameshwari S, Tripathy S P, Samuel N M “HIV-1 subtypes circulating in Namakkal, Tamilnadu”-3^rd International Conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 2001.

Samuel N M, Parameshwari, Mini Jacob S, Viswanath R “Assessing intervention to reduce vertical transmission of HIV in Namakkal – rural hospital in South India”- 1^st IAS conference on HIV pathogenesis and treatment 2001” No 891

Parameshwari S, Samuel N M, Mini Jacob S-“MTCT training (VHN) in Namakkal District”-3^rd conference on Global Strategies 2001.

Mini Jacob S, Parameshwari S, Samuel N M “To use HIV rapid test in pregnant women attending Namakkal Government Hospital in South India”. 3^rd Conference on Global Strategies, Uganda 2001.

Parameshwari S, Mini Jacob, Viswanath R, Vijayakumari V, Samuel N M, Uma Maheswari, Uma P, Thirumozhi K- “MTCT prevention center in Namakkal”- 3^rd International conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 2001.

Mary Sushi K, Parameswari S, Mini Jacob S, Anandakannan K, Samuel N M.  Problems encountered in working with seropositive pregnant mothers. IInd International Confernce on AIDS INDIA 2000, Chennai 1999

Alamelu C, Jagganath, Anandakannan K, Samuel N M  Diagnostic Value of measuring IgG antibody to Lipo arabinomannan (LAM) Antigen in patients with pulmonary Tuberculosis. IInd International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000, Chennai 1999

Parameswari S, Mallika K, Mini Jacob S, Anandakannan K, Samuel N M Administration of AZT to Unregistered Mothers prior to Caesarean section. IInd International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000, Chennai 1999

Mini JacobS, Mary Sushi K, Parameswari S, Umayal, Anandakannan K ,Samuel N M  Potential Benefits of Pooled sera technique in screening of HIV. IInd International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 Chennai 1999

Jacob Mini S , Mary Sushi K, Parameswari S, Umayal, Ananda Kannan, Samuel N M “Potential benefits of pooled sera technique in screening of HIV” 2^nd International Conference on AIDS India 2000, Chennai, December 1999.

Samuel N M, S Parameshwari, Mini Jacob, H Geiger, B Naidoo, Raja D “Immunological and virological analysis of a triple combination pilot study and traditional drugs in HIV infected patients in South India”. 12^th World AIDS Conference, Geneva July 1998.

Samuel N M, S Parameshwari, Amanda Murphy, Mini Jacob S, Hans Gager, D Raja “Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of AZT and Lamivudine in South Indian HIV infected patients”. 12^th World AIDS Conference, Geneva, Switzerland July 1998.

 Mini Jacob, Samuel N.M. HIV Infection in Renal Transplant Recepients in South India. 
 12th world AIDS Conference Geneva 1998

Parameswari S, Rita Padmini, Samuel N M. Cervical Biopsy analysis in women with HIV infection. 12th World AIDS Confernce Geneva, 1998

 Parameswari S, Samuel N M. Results of Observational Study at Chennai, Modified ACTG 076.  Perinatal Confernce, Chennai 1998

Viswanath R, Raja D, Samuel N M. CD4/CD8 Profile of Normals and petients with TB, HIV/TB, HIV/AIDS  in South India. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lund Diseases  Vol.2, No.11, Nov 1998

 Jacob Mini S, Sundari V G, Ravichandran R, Muthusethupathi M A, Raja D, Samuel N M “ Measurement of cyclosporine trough level in Indian Renal Transplant patients by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography”. IX annual conference of Indian Organ Transplantation 10-12^th January 1997.

Samuel N M, Viswanath R, Parameswari S, Olaleya & Dietrich U. The Emerging Diversity of HIV-1 in South India. First International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000, 1997

Kalpana S, Jeyakar Paul, Deivanayagam C N, Raja D , Samuel N M. Prevalence of HIV-2 Infection in South India. First  International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 1997

Viswanath R, Deivanayagam C N, Sankaran J R, Samuel N M. Enumeration of CD4/CD8 cell counts in patients with HIV/AIDS, HIV /STD, HIV/TB in Tamilnadu. First International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 1997

Mini Jacob, Ravichandran R, Raja D, Sundari V G, Samuel N M. HIV in Renal Transplant patients - South Indian perspective. First International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 1997

Parameswari S, Raja D, Samuel N M. Indian Experience of Administration of Zidovudine to HIV seropositive mothers and Infants. First International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 1997

Adeline Francis, Vijayasekaran, Alamelu Chandrasekaran, Raja D, Samuel  N M. Detection of Tuberculosis by DNA Amplification in Lympphnodes in children. First International Conference on AIDS INDIA 2000 1997

Samuel N M, Parameswari S, Mini Jacob, Adeline Francis, Brian Naidoo. HIV RNA Quantitation in periperal Blood. First International Confernce on AIDS INDIA 2000, 1997

Viswanath R, Samuel N M .Estimation of Chlorine content in drinking water and test for Leptospira  contamination. Challenge in Leptospirosis 1997

Parameswari S, Shanmugapriya A, Samuel N M. Anonymous Unlinked Screening of HIV Infection in pregnant women. IAMM XX National Congress, Agra 1996

 Viswanath R, Kalpana S, Samuel N M. Is  Blood Safe. IAMM XX National  Congress, Agra 1996

 Mini Jacob S, Chandrasekharan S, Samuel N M  Vitamin A analysis in Normal Children and Children with Tuberculosis. IAMM XX National Congress Agra 1996

 Kalpana S, Samuel N M. Serodiagnosis of Leptospirosis by Microscopic Agglutination test. IAMM XX National Congress Agra 1996

Samuel N  M,  Parameswari S, Swarnakumari . Zidovudine in HIV postive pregnant  women and their babies. National Medical Journal of India, Vol.9, No.4, 1996

Workshops, Training program  and conferences attended by the staff of the Department:

•  Mr Ganesh Arumugam, Laboratory Technician underwent training in “ Laboratory Management System and ISO-15189 internal audit for clinical laboratories” at Center for Electronics Test Engineering (CETE), Government of India, Bangalore from September 8-11^th, 2009

• Dr M.R. Sivakumar met with Dr Ann Melvin, Dr Thor Wagner and Mrs Nina Ellis at the University of Washington Seattle USA to discuss the Indo US Project on 28^th of April, 2009.

• Dr S Parameshwari, Dr S Mini Jacob and 2 medical students from the University of Washington (Ms Natalie and Ms Andrea) attended the Medical symposium on Pneunocystic Jeroveci Pneumonia organized by the ITECH Fellows at Tambaram Sanatorium on the 6^th of April, 2009.

• Mr G Thatchinamoorthy, Laboratory Technician and Dr S Mini Jacob attended one-week South Zone workshop on External Quality Assurance Scheme in NIMHANS Bangalore organized by the NACO on 27^th April to May 1^st, 2009

• Dr S Mini Jacob attended a workshop on “Latest approach to HIV infection and management” conducted by Merieux Foundation on March 3-6^th 2009 at New Delhi.

• Mr Ganesh Arumugam and Mr G Thatchinamoorthy, Laboratory Technicians participated in the workshop for Dried Blood Spot testing under HIV sentinel surveillance held at National AIDS research Institute (NARI), Pune, on19^th & 20^th March 2009.

• Dr M.R. Sivakumar, Prof & HOD was invited to speak on “NeuroAIDS” to ITECH fellows and visiting international ITECH faculty at Tambaram Sanatorium on 16^th of February, 2009.

• Dr S Mini Jacob gave a lecture on HIV Diagnosis to the ART Medical Officers at Tambaram  Sanatorium on 10^th of February, 2009.

•   Dr S Parameshwari attended the 2^nd ASCCON Conference on HIV/AIDS which was held on 27^th February to 1^st March 2009 at Jaipur and presented a poster on PMTCT program.

• Dr M. R Sivakumar, Prof & HOD and Dr S Mini Jacob attended the Training of the Trainers Program (Training on HIV/AIDS for the laboratory technicians of the Tamilnadu State AIDS Control Society) at the Department of Microbiology at the Madras Medical College on 6^th October 2008.

• Dr S Mini Jacob attended a clinical symposium on “2^nd line regimen of ART” conducted by the ITECH Fellows at Tambaram Sanatorium on 17^th of October, 2008.

• Dr S Mini Jacob attended “ External Assessment of HIV testing quality of NRL’s with Apex Laboratory” in National Institute of Biologicals at Noida from 23-25^th September 2008.

• Scientists from NACO and CDC visited the department for the monitoring and evaluation of the Laboratory as well as for EQAS on the 16^th July 2008.

• Dr M. R Sivakumar Prof & HOD visited the Puget Sound Blood Center , Seattle USA on the 2^nd week of June, 2008 to observe Umbilical Cord blood banking.

• Dr.S.Mini Jacob, Ms.D.Anitha and Ms.K.Annie Phoebe attended the 3rd INTEREST Workshop at Lusaka, Zambia -May 2009.
• Dr S Mini Jacob attended the 2nd INTEREST Workshop at Dakar, Senegal -May 2008.
• Ms D Anitha,  visited Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA for training in HLA Typing assays-July 2008
• Dr. K. Mary Sushi, Mr. G Thatchinamoorthy, Ms.Vijayakumari attended the HIV/STD Training program at University of Washington, Seattle, USA- July 2007.
• Dr S Mini Jacob was trained to Perform P24 antigen assay at the Department of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine (under Dr. Lisa M Frenkel), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. May 13^th –June 30^th, 2006
• Dr.Parameswari, Dr.S.Mini Jacob, Dr.S.Shoba and Dr.N.M.Samuel attended the Eighth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 12-16 November 2006 Glasgow, UK
• Dr S Parameshwari attended the HIV/STD Training program at University of Washington, Seattle, USA-  July,2005.
•  Mr A Ganesan attended training in Laboratory techniques in the Department of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine (under Dr. Lisa M Frenkel), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. July , 2005
• Dr N M Samuel, Dr S Mini Jacob, Dr S Shoba and Ms JJ Vijayakumari attended the 3^rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24-28 July, 2005
• Dr N. M. Samuel and Ms. D Anitha attended the XV International AIDS Conference 2004, July 11-14^th, at Bangkok, Thailand.
• Dr S Mini Jacob, underwent training in OligoNucleotide Ligation Assay (OLA) in Dr. Lisa Frenkel’s Laboratory at the University of Washington for 8 weeks (July- September, 2004). As a part of the training program, she also participated in “Principles of STD/HIV Research” Course, held by the University of Washington, Center for AIDS and STD, Seattle, Washington, USA. July 19-29, 2004.
• Dr.K.Mary Sushi  and Ms.Vijayakumari  attended the EGPAF Call to Action Directors Meeting at Kampala, Uganda October 11-14^th, 2004.
• Prof. Dr. C. V. Bhirmanandham and 3 faculty members and two Research Scholars of the Department attended and presented papers at The 2^nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Paris, France, 13-16 July, 2003.
• Mr A Ganesan attended the Leptospira training program at the National Referral Center for Leptospirosis at ICMR, Port Blair, Andaman, 2003
•  Dr N. M Samuel, Dr S Mini Jacob and Ms Udayakumari participated in EGPAF Call to Action Site Directors meeting at Cape Town, South Africa in August 18-21^st, 2003. 
• Dr.R Vishwanath and Ms. D Anitha were trained for a period of 8 weeks (October to December 2003) at University of Washington Seattle, USA for HIV resistance testing at Dr. Lisa Frenkel’s Laboratory.  
• Ms.Vijayakumari and Dr.S.Mini Jacob participated in the workshop on Grant Writing organized by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, USA at Mysore, Karnataka in January 2002.
• Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. C. V. Bhirmanandham and four staff members of the Department attended the X1V International AIDS Conference-Barcelona, Spain, July, 2002.
• Dr S Mini Jacob and Dr. R Vishwanath were trained in automated DNA Sequencing and HIV drug resistance testing at Center De Biologic, Madrid, Spain, 2002

• Dr N M Samuel,  attended the 1^st International AIDS Society Conference on HIV pathogenesis and treatment held at Buenos Aires, Argentina – July 2001.

• Dr N M Samuel  attended the World Federation of Scientists, Erice, Italy on August 2001.
• Dr N M Samuel  attended the 3^rd Conference on global strategies for the prevention of HIV transmission from Mother to Infants, Kampala, Uganda-September 2001.
• Dr.R.Vishwanath, Dr S. Parameshwari and Dr.S.Mini Jacob attended the advance training on HIV Clinical Management organized by the International Antiviral Therapy Evaluation Center (IATEC) in collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Virology, University of Amsterdam.  The Netherlands from 1^st June 2001 – 6^th July 2001.
• Dr.K.Mary Sushi attended and presented at the 6^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, Melbourne, Australia - October 2001. 
• Dr.S.Parameshwari attended the meeting on the development of Manual of Procedures for the MTCT project at the National Institute of Child Health Development, Washington, USA in November 2001.
• Dr.S.Mini Jacob, Dr.K.Mary Sushi attended the SEAWP workshop on Quality Assurance in HIV testing at Bangkok, Thailand in February 2000.
• Dr N M Samuel, Dr S Mini Jacob and Dr S Parameshwari attended 2^nd Conference on Global Strategies for the prevention of HIV transmission from Mothers to Infants: Montreal, Canada, September 1999
• Dr S Mini Jacob and Dr S Parameshwari attended Training programme on HIV/AIDS at the KIS clinic, Munich, Germany: June-July 1998 
• Dr Major D.Raja, Dr N.M Samuel, Dr S Mini Jacob and Dr S Parameshwari attended 12^th World AIDS Conference, Geneva, Switzerland: July 1998
• Dr S Mini Jacob, Dr S Parameshwari and Ms Adeline Attended seminar on role and responsibility of women for the prevention of RTI/STD/HIV/AIDS conducted by TANSACS, 1997
• Mrs G Sundari and Dr S Mini Jacob underwent training in the use of HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) at the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, September 1994
• Dr. Mini Jacob trained in the use of HPLC-Course sponsored by Lab India at Pune, October, 1994

RESEARCH:

Ongoing Research Projects:

• Indo US Collaborative project on: Reservoirs of drug resistant HIV-1: Impact of drug resistance HIV-1 reservoirs on efficacy of childhood ART (Funded by ICMR)

• HIV DNA PCR using gag primers versus envelope primers

• Standardization of HLA B5701 for Abacavir hypersensitivity

• Biochemical and Immunological parameters in HIV patients

• The role of placenta in transmission of HIV from mothers to infants.

• Viral loads in HIV patients on Homeopathic treatment (in collaboration with Clinical Research Unit of Homeopathy, MMC)

Completed projects:

• To evaluate the onset of Drug resistance mutations (using Oligonucleotide Ligase Assay) in women receiving single dose Nevirapine in Tamil Nadu, South India

•  Pap Smear abnormalities in HIV positive women in Namakkal

•  Lipid abnormalities in HIV positive individuals who have received HAART for more than one year in Namakkal District  

•  Genetic variability of HIV in India 

•  HIV transmission through breast milk. 

• HIV-1 Viral Dynamics in seropositive pregnant women in relation to perinatal transmission 

• A prospective cohort study of the seroprevalence of and intervention to decrease the risk of mother to child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV) in Tamil Nadu, India.

•  The infant feeding patterns practiced by HIV seropositive mother

• Pilot study to evaluate efficacy tolerance and adherence of three antiretrovirals drug regimen in resource constrained rural district of Namakkal in South India.

•  A study of stigma attached to HIV infection implications for health care and social adjustment.

•   A study of impact of counseling on coping behavior of HIV positive cases  in   different  states.

•   Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhea in pooled urine samples by Multiplex PCR –   Community based study

•  Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among HIV seropositive antenatal  women in two hospitals of  Tamil   Nadu

• Diagnosis of HIV infection in infants using dried blood spots for HIV DNA PCR

• Study to evaluate efficacy, tolerance and adherance of three antiretroviral drug regimen in resource constrained rural district of Namakkal in South India.

• Specific alternative monitoring and evaluation tools of ARV therapy in resource limited settings

• Combination of antiretrovirals in sero positive pregnant women for reduction of MTCT.

• Seroprevalence of HIV in STD patients, blood donors and tuberculosis patients

• Estimation of CD4/CD8 lymphocyte counts in South Indian Normals,  HIV patients,

• HIVV/TB patients and tuberculosis patients.

• Seroprevalence of HTLV in South Indian blood donors

• Leptospira antibody in normal individuals of Chennai city and sewage workers

• Prevalence of HIV infection among renal transplant patients in Chennai

• HIV prevalence in antenatal women, destitute and mentally retarded women and

• women who frequent an abortion clinic.

• Detection of HIV antibodies in Serum, Saliva and Crevicular fluid

• Estimation of trace metal levels in serum and saliva of HIV patients and controls

• HIV seroprevalence in malnourished children and estimation of trace elements in them

• Detection of antibodies to HIV in paired serum and urine

• Cervical biopsy analysis in women with HIV infection

• Health Survey of Udavum Karangal, an orphanage in Chennai

• Comparison of MSAT and MAT in the diagnosis of Leptospirosis

• Validation of HIV rapid test kits for screening, surveillance & diagnosis in voluntary

• testing & counselling centers.

• Diagnosis of Tuberculosis by DNA amplification in the lymph nodes of children

• Correlation of CD4 T Cells with Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC)- a   marker for monitoring HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited settings

SERVICES:

           Diagnostic Services offered by the Department  :

* Subject to the availability of kits.

•  External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS): Testing of Quality Control samples and distribution of HIV testing panels to the Medical Colleges of Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry for HIV (5th positive & 20th Negative) funded by NACO/TANSAC . The Dept. functions as the National Reference Laboratory for HIV testing since 2000.

• HIV-1 DNA PCR test is offered to the community. These services are also offered for the diagnosis of HIV-1 for Infants born to HIV seropositive mothers in Tamilnadu in collaboration with the Tamilnadu State AIDS Control Society and Clinton Foundation. The department receives samples from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

• Dissertation work: Doctors/Research Scholars/ Students/ utilize the Department for projects, dissertations and guidance related to HIV/AIDS  & Leptospirosis.

•  The Department staff deliver invited lectures in training program, workshops and seminar.

• Mother To Child Transmission (MTCT) Services at Namakkal Government Hospital.

• One of the unique achievements of the Department is the ongoing PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV) prevention Centers initiated at Namakkal District Head Quarter Hospital, Rasipuram, Thiruchengode, Paramathy Velur and Senthamangalam Government Hospitals. The pregnant women visiting these hospitals for antenatal checkup are offered Counselling and HIV testing after informed consent. Approximately 45700 pregnant women have been counselled and 45443 were tested. 827 HIV positive women were provided antiretroviral prophylaxis. Tablet Nevirapine is offered to the women who are seropositive and Nevirapine syrup to their infants. This program was supported by the funding received from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, USA and National Institute of Child Health and Development, NIH, USA. Presently this service is available at Namakkal District Head Quarter Hospital, and Rasipuram Government Hospital.

CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY UNIT:

• The Department is a part of the CEU of the Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University.

COLLABORATIONS:

National:

·       Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Tamilnadu AIDS Initiative and Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University for training the Medical Doctors (attached to the TAI/VHS) on HIV/AIDS Clinical Management in 2006

·        HIV/AIDS clinical Management residential course in collaboration with APAC-VHS (USAID) in 2006

• The Department collaborates with the following agencies for various HIV/AIDS Programs :
  • Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSAC),
  • National AIDS Control Society (NACO)
  • Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • Clinton Foundation
  • National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai
  • National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune
  • Namakkal Head Quarters Hospital

International:

• In August 2004, MoU was signed between TN Dr.MGR Medical University  and University of Washington., Seattle.USA. This collaboration affirms interchange of students, faculty and staff. Staff members of the Department have been trained in HIV laboratory and Medical students from University of Washington have visited the University and Namakkal PMTCT programs. This interchange has lead to several research publications (2004-2009)
• Memorandum of Understanding was signed between National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), USA and The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. The collaborative project (2003-2006) is on “A prospective Cohort study of the seroprevalence of and Intervention to decrease the risk of Mother to Child Transmission of Human Immuno deficiency Virus type 1 (HIV) in Tamilnadu, India”. Zidovudine is provided for HIV positive mothers and  Zidovudine syrup to the infants
• The University is collaborating with Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, USA since 2002 in providing care and support to women and infants with HIV/AIDS.
• In 2005, MoU has been signed with Lund University, Sweden for conducting HIV/AIDS research.

CONTACT:

Dr. M.P. Ravindran, M.S., M.Ch.,

      Officer on Special Duty

Department of Experimental Medicine,

The Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University,

No.69, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai-32

Phone: 91 44 22354203

Email ID : mgrdem@gmail.com