Matlab Laboratory

In total, 18,061 tests were performed on 13,797 specimens of blood, stool, urine, CSF, and other biological fluids submitted by the Matlab diarrhoea treatment centre and field-based research protocols and the staff clinic. The microbiological tests performed on 2,771 specimens included dark-field microscopy, culture, and antimicrobial susceptibility. The most common diarrhoeal pathogens were: V. cholerae O1 (62.09%), Shigella (24.75%), Salmonella spp. (7.87%), and V. cholerae O139 (5.29%). In total, 1,945 tests were performed on 1,203 specimens (61.85%) for electrolytes, renal function tests, blood glucose, routine haematological tests, urinalysis, and stool microscopy for parasites. Microscopy of 4,958 faecal specimens detected E. histolytica (1.13%) and Giardia (4.70%), while Ankylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis were 1.51%, 42.05%, 26.42%, and 0.80% respectively. The physical facilities of the Matlab Laboratory were upgraded by adding one computer, two air-coolers, and two deep freezers.

Staff