New machine to help in early fungal detection at AIIMS Bhopal

Bhopal: Rapid identification of fungal and other microbes will be possible at AIIMS Bhopal hospital. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization TOF machine has been installed at the hospital, according to a press release here on Thursday. The institute is part of nine ICMRs Advance Mycology Diagnostic Reference Centres.

AIIMS Bhopal department of microbiology HoD Dr Debasis Biswas said machine helps in accurate and rapid identification of fungal and other microbes at a low cost.

With the installation it will be easier to manage complicated and life-threatening fungal infections particularly in diabetic, immunosuppressed patients as organ transplant and HIV patients. Till now the samples were sent to PGIMER Chandigarh.

AIIMS Bhopal director, Dr Ajai Singh said newly installed MALDI TOF will save many lives, affected by rare and dreaded fungal infections particularly in ICU settings. Hospital acquired infections are a very prominent risk for patients during their treatment.