Under the direction of experienced medical microbiologists and assisted by highly skilled and experienced medical laboratory technologists The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology of Wania Hospital provides State-of-the-Art diagnostic tools for the most serious diseases that affect the health professionals in the region.

Culture & Anti-Microbial Drug Susceptibility
Beyond the normal examination and sensitivity tests of pathogens microbial involved in common illnesses such as hospital acquired and those acquired from the community, Tuberculosis Salmonellosis (Typhoid) and Water-borne Diseases that include a the bacteriological exam in drinking water. Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as Chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, and other common Fungal infections

Tuberculosis
Despite the incredible advancements in medical science the precise and timely diagnosis of tuberculosis remains to be a significant clinical and public health issue in our health care system. has taken on the challenge of offering an quick reliable, cost-effective and reliable diagnosisof both latent and active tuberculosis.

The current selection of TB diagnostics offered by comprises:

1. AFB Smear Microscopy

2. Tuberculin Skin Test (TST – Mantoux test)

3. AFB Culture with BACTEC MGIT The 960 culture system (Becton Dickinson)

4. Interferon Gamma Releasing Assay (IGRA) specifically T.SPOT-TB and Quantiferon TB Gold Test

5. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NATs) using the PCR (GenoType MTBDRplus) that incorporates susceptibility to drugs to anti-tubercular first line drugs

6. Rapid (Immunochromatographic – ICT) assays

7. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA)

Blood culture is performed on VersaTrek TM – a unique high performance blood culture system detecting pressure changes in the headspace of the blood culture bottle secondary to gas consumption/production which ensures shorter reporting time – average 12 hours for preliminary report, coupled with highest recovery of pathogens (>85%) and 25% more positives on day 1, along with optimal neutralization of antibiotics in blood culture sample even if the patient is taking antibiotics.

In addition, is probably one of the few labs in Pakistan that offer antifungal drugs susceptibility testing for Candida infections.

Qualitative Assurance:Authenticity of microbiological studies at  is assured by a rigorous internal quality assurance program that is enhanced through regular engagement of the EQA Programme of CAP.

 Virology:

1. Viral Hepatitis

To determine the first signs of the onset of viral hepatitis,  offers highly specific and sensitive tests (Abbott CMIA) for all major forms of hepatitis which include Hepatitis A (IgG as well as IgM), Hepatitis B full profile (HBsAg and HBsAb) , anti-HBc total and IgM HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBeAg), Hepatitis C Ab and the water-borne Hepatitis E (IgG and IgM).
Hepatitis B as well as C are the most severe forms of viral hepatitis do not just affect millions of people across our nation, but also have the potential for becoming chronic, resulting in serious long-term complications, such as Hepatocellular Cancer and cirrhosis. Both are currently treatment-able for a large majority of patients and both require a molecular diagnosis with PCR, both quantitative and qualitative, to measure the load of virus (HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA). In the wake of recently the introduction of the highly efficient oral therapies together Directly Acting Antivirals (DAAs) the genotyping process, especially of HCV has gained vital importance.

2. COVID-19

A molecular lab specifically to detect COVID-19 using Real Time PCR has been in operation since the beginning of the pandemic. The PCR method is further complemented by tests for COVID-19 antigen as well as antibody via ICR as well as ELISA.

3. HIV-AIDS

Diagnosis through 4 ^the Gen ELISA with HIV I/II ag-ab combination.