 CENTRAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE,KASAULI

6.26. Central Research Institute Kasauli 6.26.1. Central Research Institute was established in 1905 andis a premier National Institute engaged in the following activities :

(i) Large scale production of Bacterial & Viral Vaccines & Sera.

(ii) Quality Control of Immunobiologicals.

(iii) Research & Development in the field of immunology and Vaccinology

(iv) Teaching & Training in the field of Microbiology, Production and Quality Control of Vaccines and Sera.

6.26.2. In addition to the above activity the Institute also provides expert advice for the treatment and management of dog and snake bite cases.

6.26.3. The Institute has a WHO Collaborative Centre for surveillance of Influenza. This Centre is actively engaged in Influenza Surveillance Programme as per the W.H.O. guidelines.

6.26.4. This Institute also has a Polio Vaccine Testing Laboratary. This unit undertakes testing of Polio Vaccine imported from other countries and also the indigenous vaccine(the final product) are tested for sterility, identity and viral concentration.

6.26.5. National Salmonella & E.Coli Centre(NSEC) is situated at CRI. It is involved-in identification and typing of Salmonella & E.coli isolated as well as survillance of isolates all over the nation.

6.26.6. CRI also discharges functions of Central Drugs Laboratory(CDL) for testing of Vaccines and Sera under the Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules thereof. CDL has also been recognised as WHO Collaborative Centre for Measles, Polio, Yellow Fever and DPT Group of Vaccines. The proficiency panels for these vaccines are received from WHO tested.

6.26.7. The production Labs. produce Vaccines and Sera. These are supplied to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Defence and Railway Services. The Vaccines and Sera are tested by an independent Quality Control Division of the Institute before issue. The orders plakhed for DPT group of vaccines, ARV and Antisera are fully met J.E. Vaccine production, kept in abeyance form 1994, has been restarted. All attempts are being made to increase the production of JE Vaccine. However, the production is influenced by demand also.

6.26.8. Vaccine and Sera supplied during the year 1997-98 and 1998-99(upto 31.10.98) are given below:

6.26.9. The institute has been one of the most reliable sources of the supply of vaccines & Sera to Government of India. Steps have been initiated for renovation of existing buildings and laboratories under World Bank Aid.

6.26.10. Quality Control Division: The Quality Control Division of the Institute independently tests all the products produced by the Institute. During 1998, 568 final lots were tested in accordance with IP for mandatory tests such as sterility, identity, volume and pH etc. 213 samples of final bulk were also tested for potency and other tests. Scrutiny of protocols for 521 vaccine batches was also undertaken.

6.26.11. Biochemistry Biochemistry Laboratory undertook quality control tests on Immunobiologicals and human blood products e.g. DPT, DT, DAT, ARV, Yellow Fever Vaccine, TT, TAT, JE Vaccine, Anti-D, Hepatitis-B Vaccine, Normal Human Albumin, Coagulation Factors VIII & IX, Normal Human Immunoglobulin, specific of Aluminium, Phenol, Thiomersal, Formalin, Protein, Haem, pH, Volume etc, as per the International Standards by using standard operating procedures. A total no. of 7,353 tests were performed in this lab. During 1998 (upto 31.10.98), out of which a total no. of 241 raw materials samples used in production & Quality Control of different vaccine & Sera and a total no. of 293 animal feed samples used for animals in this Institute were tested.

6.26.12. Experimental AnimalHouse.

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                   No.      No.
      Animals    Produced  Procured/
                           Purchassed
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      Mice      100,984     Nil
      Guinea Pig. 1,973     526
      Rabbit       202      Nil
      Rat          160      Nil
      Hamster       40      Nil
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6.26.13. Research Activity: Research work with regard to the following projects are in progress and shall continue.

(i) Standardization of a modified single radial immunodiffusion test for rapid determination of potency of rabies vaccine.

(ii) Stability studies of Rabies Vaccine exposed at different temperatures and for various periods.

(iii) Studies on the effects of pertussis Toxin in the mouse weight Gain test for the toxicity testing of pertussis vaccine.

(iv) Standardization of In-Vitro Technique for passive Haemagglutination/Haemagglutination inhibition for estimation of potency of snake (cobra) venom antiserum.

6.26.14. Central Drugs Laboratory: This laboratory receives samples for testing from Drugs Control Authorities throughout the country. During this period a total of 3,788 samples were tested or released on the basis of scrutiny of protocols. For cold chain monitoring of Oral Polio Vaccine, 847 samples from Field were also tested. Surveillance of Poliomyelitis was carried out by processing 440 Faecal Specimens for the Isolation of Polio Viruses. To maintain uniformity in the production of Immunobiologicals in the country, National Reference Standards were calibrated against International Standards and supplied to the various Manufacturing and Testing Units in the country. In addition to its existing routine activities', the laboratory also works as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Measles, Polio and DTP group of vaccines and the Proficiency Panels of these vaccines received from WHO.

6.26.15. Rabies Research Centre: During the year a total No. of 217 samples were tested and reported. A total of 47 Serum samples from pre and post exposures cases were tested for Rabies neutralising antibody by serum virus neutralization test.