This department carries out researches on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bacterial respiratory infectious diseases, chronic and opportunistic infectious diseases, and other infectious diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria, toxin-producing bacteria and zoonotic bacteria. Pertussis, diphtheria, mycoplasmosis, tuberculosis, tetanus, botulism, and other infectious diseases by Helicobacter spp., Haemophilus influenzae, Clostridioides difficile, Burkholderia spp. and Bartonella spp. are included in main targets. Research subjects cover pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of the pathogens and innovations of drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tools required for infection control and prevention. Related reference affairs, quality control of biologicals and international cooperation are also included.

LABORATORY OF PERTUSSIS CONTROL

This laboratory conducts bacteriological, epidemiological and vaccinological studies on Bordetella pertussis and other Bordetella species. It is also responsible for quality control of pertussis vaccines based on relevant tests and evaluations, as well as standardization of their reference standards. Further, it conducts laboratory-based surveillance and reference services for Bordetella spp.

LABORATORY OF MYCOPLASMAS AND HAEMOPHILUS

This laboratory pursues studies on molecular epidemiology, establishment of laboratory test methods and analyses of pathogenic factors for infections caused by Mycoplasma spp., and Haemophilus influenzae. It also has the responsibility for quality control of H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine as well as for duties related to sterility testing of biological products.

LABORATORY OF CLOSTRIDIA AND CORYNEBACTERIA

Studies on Clostridium botulinum, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium tetani and other toxin-producing bacteria that cause acute various infectious diseases and Corynebacterium diphtheriae and other Corynebacterium spp., are carried out. This laboratory is in charge of quality control of vaccines, antitoxins and standard materials essential for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases caused by the abovementioned bacteria

LABORATORY OF TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL

Biological, biochemical and immunological studies are conducted on mycobacterial components and products for vaccine development, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous diseases. Studies on improvement of BCG and PPD products, as well as evaluation and quality control of these products are also undertaken by this laboratory.