Collection

Virus reference department (VRD)

VRD provides clinical advice and laboratory investigations for a wide range of human virus infections.

Published 8 August 2014
Last updated 27 January 2017 — see all updates

• From: Public Health England

The virus reference department (VRD) offers a wide range of immuno and molecular assays for the assessment of immune responses to viruses and molecular detection of viruses of public health importance.

VRD is a World Health Organization (WHO) Global Specialised measles and rubella laboratory, and contains WHO accredited national laboratories for influenza and poliovirus.

VRD’s work embraces both reference functions supporting NHS and public health activity, and has particular expertise in the detection and characterisation of:

• sexually transmitted and blood borne viral pathogens
• enteric and respiratory viruses

VRD units

VRD is made up of 8 units:

• Antiviral unit (AVU)
• Blood borne virus unit (BBVU)
• Clinical services unit (CSU)
• Enteric virus unit (EVU)
• Human papillomavirus reference unit (HPU)
• Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU)
• Respiratory virus unit (RVU)
• Serological development unit (SDU)

Contact

Virus Reference Department (VRD)

Public Health England
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5HT

Email vrdqueries@phe.gov.uk

Telephone 020 8327 6017

Fax 020 8327 6559

DX address PHE Colindale VRD, DX 6530006

VRD documents

1. Virus reference department (VRD): user manual
   • 28 August 2018
   • Guidance

Antiviral unit (AVU)

1. Antiviral unit (AVU): reference services
   • 7 December 2018
   • Guidance
2. HCV genotypic susceptibility testing request form
   • 17 September 2018
   • Form
3. HIV genotypic susceptibility testing request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Blood borne virus unit (BBVU)

1. Blood borne virus unit (BBVU): services
   • 27 January 2017
   • Guidance
2. Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequencing request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
4. Hepatitis B (HBV): genotyping protocol
   • 30 October 2007
   • Guidance
5. Hepatitis B: enhanced laboratory surveillance of acute infection
   • 18 May 2011
   • Form

Clinical services unit (CSU)

1. Clinical services unit (CSU): reference and diagnostic services
   • 23 January 2017
   • Guidance
2. Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. HIV reference test referral form
   • 23 October 2018
   • Form
4. Herpes simplex virus and HHV-8 referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
5. HTLV reference test referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Enteric virus unit (EVU)

1. Enteric virus unit (EVU): diagnostic and reference services
   • 5 October 2017
   • Guidance
2. Enteric virus and polio investigation referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. Gastroenteritis outbreak investigation request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Human papillomavirus virus unit (HPU)

1. Human papillomavirus unit (HPU): reference services
   • 27 January 2017
   • Guidance
2. Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. Electron microscopy referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU)

1. Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU): diagnostic and reference services
   • 1 July 2014
   • Guidance
2. Measles, mumps or rubella (MMR) referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. Parvovirus B19 referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
4. Polyomavirus JC investigation request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
5. Varicella zoster virus referral form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
6. HHV-6 and HHV-7 referral form
   • 16 September 2016
   • Form
7. Intrathecal antibody test request form
   • 1 June 2014
   • Form

Respiratory virus unit (RVU)

1. Respiratory virus unit (RVU): diagnostic services
   • 28 June 2018
   • Guidance
2. Influenza serology request form
   • 1 April 2014
   • Form
3. Typing of influenza strains request form
   • 5 November 2018
   • Form
4. Respiratory adenovirus typing request form
   • 20 July 2015
   • Form

Serological development unit (SDU)

1. Serological development unit (SDU): services
   • 8 August 2014
   • Guidance

Published 8 August 2014
Last updated 27 January 2017 + show all updates

1. 27 January 2017 Added HCV genotypic susceptibility testing request form.
2. 8 August 2014 First published.