National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections or NIRBI (also known as ICMR-NIRBI) previously known as National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases[1] is an Indian medical institute that conducts research and develops prevention and treatment and control strategies related to enteric diseases and HIV/AIDS. The headquarter of NIRBI is located at Kolkata, West Bengal. NIRBI is affiliated to and financed by Indian Council of Medical Research.[2][3]
Eastern India and the Gangetic Plain have had a long history of cholera and related epidemics.[4] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) set up a cholera research centre at Kyd Street, Kolkata, West Bengal.[5] The aim of establishing this centre was to conduct research related to cholera and other enteric diseases. In 1979, the cholera research centre was renamed to National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED). In 1980 the institute received the World Health Organization's recognition as "WHO Collaborative Centre for Research and Training on Diarrhoeal Diseases".[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in India (2020), NICED and their microbiologists and researchers played an important role. According to a news article published in The New Indian Express in April 2020, the scientists were working round the clock in shifts.[6]
In 2022 the institute planned open to a rural health research unit in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Around ₹ 4 crore will be spent on the infrastructure. For the unit, an MoU has been signed between NBMCH and ICMR, detection of acute encephalitis syndrome, alcoholic liver diseases, skin diseases found in tea gardens, diaorrhea and other localised diseases can be done faster. It will help in early intervention and treatment.[7]
In 1968 the institute was given the status of "International Reference Centre for Vibrio Phage Typing" by the World Health Organization (WHO).[4] In 1980 the institute received the recognition as "WHO Collaborative Centre for Research and Training on Diarrhoeal Diseases".[6]