Health protection – collection

Bacteriology reference department (BRD)

BRD is a national and international laboratory reference centre for a wide range of bacterial infections.

Contents

The Bacteriology reference department (BRD) provides serology and confirmatory testing, on referral from Rare and imported pathogens laboratory (RIPL) only.

The department (BRD) is made up of 4 units:

• Respiratory and vaccine preventable bacteria reference unit (RVPBRU)
• Sexually transmitted bacteria reference unit (STBRU)
• Gastrointestinal bacteria reference unit (GBRU)
• Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections reference unit (AMRHAI)

These laboratories work together locally, nationally and internationally and provide a wealth of expertise and specialist and reference services.

BRD receive clinical samples and bacterial isolates from public health departments, NHS and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, bacterial characterisation and susceptibility testing.

Contact

Bacteriology reference department (BRD)

Public Health England
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ

Telephone 020 8327 7887 (staffed from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday)

DX address PHE Colindale Bacteriology, DX 6530002

BRD documents

1. Bacteriology reference department (BRD): user manual

   • 28 October 2015
   • Guidance

AMRHAI documents

1. AMRHAI reference unit: reference and diagnostic services

   • 29 September 2016
   • Detailed guide

2. AMRHAI serodiagnosis referral form

   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

3. Healthcare pathogens request form: multiple isolates

   • 1 July 2014
   • Form

4. Healthcare pathogens request form: single isolate

   • 1 July 2014
   • Form

5. Microbial identification request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

6. Molecular confirmation tests request form

   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

7. Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

GBRU documents

1. GBRU: reference and diagnostic services

   • 1 July 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. Gastrointestinal bacteria culture referral form

   • 28 July 2014
   • Form

3. Gastrointestinal bacteria clinical referral form

   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

4. Gastrointestinal bacteria food and environmental sample referral form

   • 1 July 2014
   • Form

5. Gastrointestinal pathogens: interpreting PCR assays guidance

   • 1 July 2014
   • Guidance

6. Gastrointestinal pathogens: specimen acceptance criteria

   • 1 July 2014
   • Guidance

RVPBRU documents

1. RVPBRU: reference and diagnostic services

   • 1 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. Respiratory and systemic bacteria section: request form

   • 19 September 2016
   • Form

3. Vaccine preventable bacteria section request form

   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

STBRU documents

1. STBRU: reference and diagnostic services

   • 1 July 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

3. GC NAATs: confirmatory service testing policy

   • 5 March 2010
   • Guidance

4. Molecular confirmation tests request form

   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

5. Chlamydia trachomatis culture service request form

   • 1 May 2009
   • Form

6. Chlamydia: enhanced surveillance forms

   • 5 May 2009
   • Form

7. Syphilis and chancroid referral form

   • 18 February 2015
   • Form

8. Syphilis serology: referral of specimens policy

   • 1 April 2009
   • Guidance

9. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): referral of specimens policy

   • 1 April 2014
   • Guidance

• Published: 1 July 2014
• Updated: 29 September 2016

+ full page history

• 29 September 2016 3:24pm: Added three new forms.
• 1 July 2014 12:00am: First published.

• From: Public Health England