Collection

Bacteriology reference department (BRD)

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

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 14 June 2018 — see all updates

• From: Public Health England

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 3 units:

• respiratory and vaccine preventable bacteria reference unit (RVPBRU)
• 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 user manual
   • 14 June 2018
   • Guidance

AMRHAI documents

Use the Electronic Reporting System for the Enhanced Surveillance of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria.

1. AMRHAI reference unit: reference and diagnostic services
   • 17 April 2018
   • Guidance
2. Healthcare pathogens request form: multiple isolates
   • 13 April 2018
   • Form
3. Healthcare pathogens request form: single isolate
   • 1 July 2014
   • Form
4. AMRHAI bacterial identification request form
   • 12 October 2016
   • Form
5. Molecular confirmation tests request form
   • 15 December 2014
   • Form
6. Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

GBRU documents

1. GBRU: reference and diagnostic services
   • 3 August 2018
   • Guidance
2. Gastrointestinal bacteria culture referral form
   • 29 September 2017
   • Form
3. Gastrointestinal bacteria clinical referral form
   • 29 September 2017
   • 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
   • Guidance
2. Respiratory and systemic bacteria section: request form
   • 8 May 2018
   • Form
3. Vaccine preventable bacteria section request form
   • 15 December 2014
   • Form

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 14 June 2018 + show all updates

1. 14 June 2018 Removed STBRU section due to organisational changes.
2. 12 October 2016 Edited the STBRU document group.
3. 29 September 2016 Added three new forms.
4. 1 July 2014 First published.