NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHOLERA AND ENTERIC DISEASES

KOLKATA - 700010

(Established in 1962)

Publications

• Situated at Kolkata in West Bengal, the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) conducts research on the
  • Epidemiological, parasitological, pathophysiological, virological, immunological, biochemical and microbiological aspects of the pathogens causing enteric diseases with special reference to cholera.
  • Development of vaccines for cholera / typhoid and diarrhoeagenic viruses.
  • Epidemiological and immunological aspects of HIV and its vaccine.
• Antisera production and supply for the diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139.
• Nationwide screening of phage types of Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor and Vibrio cholerae O139.
• Clinical laboratory investigations for clinical research programmes, epidemic and outbreak investigations.
• Training to assist in the development of skilled man power resource.

The following are the thrust areas of NICED
• The study of pathogens causing enteric diseases and on HIV.

  Bacteriology

• Identification of enteric bacteria in and around Kolkata responsible for causing diarrhoea with special reference to Vibrio cholerae.
• Molecular typing of bacterial strains, detection of virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptible patterns and detection of resistance mechanisms and novel toxins.
• The study of bacterium H. pylori as a causative agent of gastro-duodenal diseases.

  Biochemistry

• Understanding host-pathogen relationship in molecular terms by addressing the characterization of microbial proteins that are involved in the pathogenesis of enteric diseases and host immune responses.
• Pathogenesis of different diarrhoeagenic bacteria with special emphasis on receptor biology and signal transduction pathway involved in the mechanism of action of different bacterial toxins and molecular mechanisms.

  Immunological

• Mucosal immune regulation by two proteins: porin (the major outer membrane protein of Gram negative bacteria, Shigella dysenteriae type 1) and hemolysin, (a pore-forming toxin released by Vibrio cholerae).

  Virology and Parasitology

• Studies at the molecular and cellular levels with epidemiological studies and etiological role of different diarrhoeagenic viruses with focus on Rotavirus, Caliciviruses, Astroviruses, Picobirnaviruses and Adenoviruses and disease burden.
• Studies on influenza viruses.

  Clinical and Climate Research

• Improved management of different types of diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid fever. Epidemiological research on different aspects of diarrhoea- observational, intervention and operational projects like micronutrient supplementation and Albendazole administration to children and its impact on their growth.
• Seasonal effects and their relationship with the incidence of diarrhoeal cases and application of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) for identifying the risk factors.

  Vaccines

• Field trials of live Oral Cholera Vaccine VA 1.3, VA1.4. Oral inactivated bivalent cholera vaccine, typhoid vaccine. Rotavirus Vaccines and Measles Aerosol Vaccine.

  Other Areas

• The causative organisms for Neonatal sepsis with special reference to Gram negative bacteria and innate immune response of the gastrointestinal mucosa in response to pathogens.

  HIV studies

• Identification of the magnitude of HIV epidemic among injecting drug users.
• Documentation of the expanded horizon of HIV epidemic through the drug-sex interface.
• Characterization of HIV genome in different risk groups and identification of recombinant strains.
• Conduction of innovative intervention trial to reduce stigma around HIV/AIDS and focusing on cross border issues linked with drug, HIV, human trafficking and in as well as out-migration.
• Partnered modified vaccine candidate for HIV.

• NICED is a declared WHO Collaborating Centre for
  • Reference & Research in Vibrios.
  • Research & Training in diarrhoeal diseases.
• Focal Research Laboratory of the Asia Pacific PulseNet Molecular Electronic surveillance.
• Collaborative Research Centre for Studies on Emerging and Reemerging Infections, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
• One of the study sites of the Global Enteric Multicentric study supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Multi vaccine based collaborations with International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Korea.

• The Institute has been enrolling PhD students having registrations in different leading State Universities like Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Burdwan University, and Kalyani University and also in Central University like Visva Bharati University since late 1970s.
• Several trainings are being conducted from the Institute for the development of skilled man power resource viz.
  • Training on diarrhoeal diseases with a focus on diagnostics and management.
  • Training programmes on HIV sentinel surveillance and good laboratory practices.
  • Project specific training on development of questionnaire, intervening skills, field implementation of project activities, data management and analysis
  • Summer/Winter training of students of different universities and Institutions all over India.

The following Universities have recognised NICED for enrolling students for PhD work

• Calcutta University
• Jadavpur University
• Burdwan University
• Kalyani University
• Visva Bharati University

• Established a repository of HIV strains isolated from different parts of the country.
• Carried out studies on characterization of Indian HIV viruses. Shown that Indian HIV subtype C segregates away from other such as China or South Africa. Sequencing full genome of over 60 HIV virus strains.
• First from India to report presence of recombinant viruses
• Established a large one of a kind cohort of HIV Sero negative persons which has resulted in valuable data on HIV and STI incidence, acute primary HIV infection, behavioural and biological factors associated with HIV prevalence and incidence.
• Demonstrated for the first time that women married to STD patients are at greater risk of HIV infection even though they do not indulge in high risk behaviour.
• Established vaccine testing site and conducted India’s first HIV vaccine trial as per international scientific and ethical standards.
• Co-ordinated Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment survey in six high HIV prevalence states as a part of monitoring and evaluation of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Avahan India AIDS Initiative”.
• Established Clinical Trial Unit: NARI having a capacity to carry out clinical trials for treatment and prevention of HIV using ART and provides drugs through the National ARV treatment program for ongoing access.
• Established a facility to conduct studies on women controlled methods for HIV prevention. Successfully conducted many Phase I and II trials for Vaginal Microbicides and Female condoms.
• Played a major role in National Aids Control Programme especially in the feasibility study for prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, External Quality Assurance Programme for HIV testing and CD4 counts, surveillance and monitoring of anti HIV drug resistance, HIV sentinel surveillance programme and training of various categories of health care workers.