Precision Diagnostics for Effective Infection Treatment
Visiting Microbiologist: Dr. Rohini Wadanamby
Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi, and protozoa. This discipline encompasses research on their biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution, and clinical interactions, including host responses to these agents.
Importance of Microbiology
Clinical Microbiology is arguably the first discipline of personalized medicine. For example, if a patient has the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection, including increased urgency, frequency, and pain with urination. A urine sample is collected and cultured quantitatively. Within 24 hours, the clinical microbiology laboratory reports the species and quantity of bacteria found in the urine. 1-2 days later, the laboratory reports the susceptibility of that patient's bacterial isolate to a panel of antibiotics approved to treat urinary tract infections. The patient's clinician can then choose an antibiotic that is predicted to be effective against that patient's infection.
Similarly, microbiology can be utilised to identify a variety of diseases arising from micro-organisms and effective treatment can be determined after doing so.
Why choose Lanka Hospital Laboratories for Microbiology tests?
The microbiology department at Lanka Hospital Laboratories, offers a large number of tests covering infectious diseases resulted from bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
Serology unit offers diagnosis of majority of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Autoimmunity.
Bacteriology
Our Bacteriology department is equipped with advanced technology for accurate diagnosis. Our automated systems enable continuous sample monitoring, mycobacteria culture, and precise antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
MIC-based testing is essential for identifying effective antibiotics, as pathogens can vary widely in resistance. By determining the MIC, doctors can make more informed decisions on the best antibiotics and dosages for each patient.
At Lanka Hospital Laboratories, bacteriology tests are categorized into three types:
1. Aerobic
2. Anaerobic
3. Microaerophilic
Aerobic
At our laboratory we utilise conventional incubators, CO2 incubators and incubators with a temperature level up to 25°C to 55°C to identify aerobic microbes.
Anaerobic
Our lab uses advanced automated systems to quickly and accurately identify microorganisms at the species level and test antibiotic susceptibility. This technology streamlines operations, increases safety, and provides results faster than manual methods, allowing for more efficient diagnostics and treatment decisions.
Microaerophilic
Our lab uses specialized CO₂ incubators to culture microaerophilic organisms, enabling the growth of sensitive microbes.
Mycobacteriology Culture Facility
This facility supports the culture of mycobacteria, including tuberculosis, actinomycosis, and nocardiosis.
Mycology (Fungal Culture)
Lanka Hospital Laboratories is the only facility equipped with four incubator types for fungal cultures at temperatures of 25°C, 37°C, 42°C, and 52°C, achieving over 80% sensitivity for detecting invasive human fungi. We can also culture animal specimens when requested to help identify potential links between human and household animal fungal infections.
Parasitology
At Lanka Hospital Laboratories we have the ability to identify all types of parasitic ova, eggs, adults and trophozoites, utilising specific stains.
Serology
Our serology department conducts a wide range of tests on automated platforms, including the latest Architect system and ELISA-based technology. This advanced setup allows rapid testing for infectious diseases and biochemical parameters with quick turnaround times. We also offer numerous tests for parasitic infections.
Bacterial Serology
We perform microbial antigen and antibody (IgM, IgG) tests to monitor patient response to infections. For bacteria that cannot be cultured, serology offers a reliable diagnosis. These tests also help detect rare diseases acquired abroad, and we can arrange for international testing when needed.
Allergy
Our newly acquired allergy detection platform can test for up to 189 allergens, either as part of an allergy panel or individually tailored tests.
Autoimmune Testing
This department offers a large number of autoimmune serology tests, using immunofluorescence and euroimmune manual card tests.
Advisory Service
We strive to provide a high quality supportive advisory service to the clinicians in areas of microbiology and infectious diseases serology, allergy and autoimmunity.
Together with the microbiology department, the molecular diagnostics department is also actively involved in developing quick molecular tests in areas of clinical microbiology and infection control.
Other Culture services
Research and Development assistance - Phd research students rely on Lanka Hospital Laboratories to perform MICs and and IDs of their isolates or organisms in order to develop their research. We also provide culture and culture media to certain universities for educational purposes.
Identifying diseases during emigration or immigration - Certain diseases, especially parasitic infections, which are not prevalent in Sri Lanka can be identified during emigration or immigration of tourists.
Air quality standard maintenance - essential in all critical care units such as operating theatres, dialysis units, neonatal care units, transplant units (renal & bone-marrow), endoscopy unit, labor rooms and ICUs based on quality assurance guidelines.
