HISTORY

Since time immemorial, eastern India, notably the Gangetic delta is considered the "homeland" of cholera and a focal point of many of the epidemics and most of the pandemics. After the discovery of the causative organism Vibrio cholerae in 1883 by Robert Koch, the interest in cholera was revived in 1950s with the classical studies on the pathophysiology of the disease by Gangarosa, De and others motivating the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to establish "Cholera Research Center" at Calcutta in 1962 to suggest remedial and preventive measures. The Center initiated a number of clinical trials for evaluation of newer therapeutic methods, two cholera vaccine field trials in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, cholera carriers, serological and chemoprophylaxis studies. The Center was given the status "International Reference Center for Vibrio Phage Typing" by the WHO in 1968 and later on designated as the "WHO Collaborative Center for Reference and Research on Vibrios" in 1978.

With advancement in biotechnology, improved diagnostic procedures and the discovery of a large number of micro-organisms causing enteric infections during 1970s, this Center also expanded its activities which motivated the ICMR to elevate this research Center into a full fledged establishment with the status of "National Institute" and renamed it as "National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases" (NICED) in 1979. The WHO recognized this Institute as "WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training on Diarrhoeal Diseases" in 1980.

AIMS OF THE INSTITUTE

NICED conducts research on acute diarrhoeal diseases of diverse etiologies as well as typhoid fever, infective hepatitis and HIV/AIDS related epidemiological research and screening. Aims of this Institute are to conduct research on these diseases in both basic and applied aspects. Institute also trains health professionals for better management and prevention of diarrhoeal diseases and for rapid and correct diagnosis of etiological agents. Epidemiological investigations of diarrhoeal diseases are carried out in different parts of India. Antisera of Vibrio cholerae is raised in this Institute and supplied to the national and international laboratories. Presently, specific monoclonal antiserum for detection of Vibrio cholerae O139 strains was developed which has been supplied to WHO (SEARO), New Delhi for distribution to various national and international laboratories. As WHO Phage Reference Center, Institute receives a large number of Vibrio cholerae strains from all over the world for Phage typing.

This Institute moved from the rented premises at No. 3 Kyd Street to its own establishment in eastern Calcutta, Beliaghata, at P-33, C.I.T. Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Calcutta 700-010, adjacent to the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The unique feature of this Institute is that it conducts basic research and applied clinical and epidemiological research on diarrhoeal diseases under the same roof. This Institute has its basic science set up with well equipped, modern technological facilities in different disciplines such as bacteriology, virology, parasitology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, molecular biology, electron microscopy, immunology and vaccine development. Clinical Division of this Institute has set up units at two different state hospitals, viz. Infectious Diseases Hospital and Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital for Children. Collaborative research programmes are also being conducted in other state hospitals like S.S.K.M. Hospital, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital. The Institute has its own selected field areas for epidemiological studies in semi-urban and rural areas near Calcutta. Research activities of different divisions are supported by the Instrument and Equipment section, Media section and Animal House section. A well-maintained library with large number of texts and reference books and a wide collection of leading national and international journals with online facilities add strength to the Institute.

Though this Institute is principally financed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, different national and international funding agencies extend support to the Institute on specific research projects.

The Japanese International Co-operative Agencies (JICA) has financed a technical collaborative research with this Institute to conduct research molecular aspects of different enteropathogens with special emphasis on Vibrios. Under the JICA-NICED exchange programme, Japanese scientists are working in this Institute and scientists and technical persons of this Institute are also receiving training in advance Japanese laboratories. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India DST, CSIR, Ministry of Environment, etc. support several projects on basic research. The WHO and UNICEF also provide assistance on applied research.

Several workshops on management and preventive aspects of diarrhoeal diseases are sponsored by WHO, UNICEF and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. These national and international workshops are conducted at the Institute and also in different parts of India involving doctors of State Health Services and international participants. Several workshops sponsored by WHO, DBT on rapid screening methodology for detection of different enteropathogens are also conducted in this Institute, at regular intervals.

Each year 4-5 post-graduate students of this Institute get Ph.D. degree from different Universities in the state (Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Kalyani University, Burdwan University, Viswa Bharati University). Post-graduate medical students also attend courses at the Institute for training on diarrhoeal diseases and scientists act as co-guides for M.D. students for thesis work. WHO and JICA also send international fellows to receive training on diarrhoeal diseases.