Collection

Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD)

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

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 1 July 2014
• Last updated: 3 March 2025 — See all updates

The Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD) is made up of 4 units:

• Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit (RVPBRU)
• Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU)
• Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) reference unit
• Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL)

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

BRD receives 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)

UK Health Security Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ

Telephone 020 8327 7887 (staffed from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

DX address UKHSA Colindale Bacteriology, DX 6530002

BRD documents

• Bacteriology reference department user manual
  • 29 November 2024
  • Guidance

AMRHAI documents

• AMRHAI reference unit: reference and diagnostic services
  • 31 July 2024
  • Guidance
• Healthcare pathogens request form: single isolate
  • 22 November 2024
  • Form
• Healthcare pathogens request form: multiple isolates
  • 14 November 2024
  • Form
• Staphylococcus and streptococcus reference service: multiple isolates
  • 14 November 2024
  • Form
• Staphylococcus and streptococcus reference service: single isolate
  • 14 November 2024
  • Form
• AMRHAI bacterial identification request form
  • 22 November 2024
  • Form

GBRU documents

• GBRU: reference and diagnostic services
  • 29 May 2024
  • Guidance
• Gastrointestinal bacteria culture referral form
  • 26 August 2022
  • Form
• Gastrointestinal bacteria clinical referral form
  • 26 August 2022
  • Form
• Gastrointestinal bacteria food and environmental sample referral form
  • 26 August 2022
  • Form

RVPBRU documents

• RVPBRU: reference and diagnostic services
  • 26 March 2024
  • Guidance
• Zoonotic and acute respiratory section: request form
  • 3 November 2021
  • Form
• Vaccine preventable bacteria section request form
  • 21 May 2025
  • Form

STIRL documents

The Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL) provides specialist and reference services to detect, investigate and characterise clinically important STI pathogens.

• B2: Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate and Mycoplasma genitalium referral form
  • 4 December 2024
  • Form
• B3: Treponema pallidum (syphilis) PCR referral form
  • 4 December 2024
  • Form
• B7: Chlamydia (LGV) molecular request form
  • 4 December 2024
  • Form
• B8: Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi) molecular request form
  • 3 March 2025
  • Form

Published 1 July 2014

Last updated 3 March 2025 + show all updates

1. 3 March 2025

   Added B8 form to STIRL collection.

2. 27 September 2024

   Added links to the AMRHAI and STIRL pages.

3. 31 July 2024

   Added link to 'AMRHAI reference unit: reference and diagnostic services'.

4. 1 May 2024

   Added the "Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL)".

5. 21 July 2021

   Added Staphylococcus capitis minimum data collection form.

6. 2 June 2021

   Updated AMRHAI documents section.

7. 20 April 2021

   Updated important service update section.

8. 14 May 2020

   Added notification of service delivery changes made to PHE reference and specialist laboratories to provide critical support to the COVID-19 incident.

9. 14 June 2018

   Removed STBRU section due to organisational changes.

10. 12 October 2016

    Edited the STBRU document group.

11. 29 September 2016

    Added three new forms.

12. 1 July 2014

    First published.