Health protection – collection

Virus reference department (VRD)

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

Contents

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 9 units:

• Antiviral unit (AVU)
• Blood borne viruses unit (BBVU)
• Enteric virus unit (EVU)
• Human papillomavirus and hepatitis C virus reference unit (HPHCU)
• Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU)
• Respiratory virus unit (RVU)
• Serological development unit (SDU)
• Seromolecular services unit (SSU)
• Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy unit (TSEU)

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 8205 8195

DX address PHE Colindale VRD, DX 6530006

VRD documents

1. Virus reference department (VRD): user manual

   • 14 September 2016
   • Guidance

Antiviral unit (AVU)

1. Antiviral unit (AVU): reference services

   • 1 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. HIV genotypic susceptibility testing request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Blood borne viruses unit (BBVU)

1. Blood borne viruses unit (BBVU): services

   • 8 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

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

Enteric virus unit (EVU)

1. Enteric virus unit (EVU): diagnostic and reference services

   • 1 July 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. Enteric virus and polio investigation referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

3. Gastroenteritis outbreak investigation request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Human papillomavirus and hepatitis C virus unit (HPHCU)

1. Human papillomavirus and hepatitis C virus unit (HPHCU): reference services

   • 8 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

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
   • Detailed guide

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

   • 27 October 2015
   • Detailed guide

2. Influenza serology request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

3. Typing of influenza strains request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

4. Respiratory adenovirus typing request form

   • 20 July 2015
   • Form

Serological development unit (SDU)

1. Serological development unit (SDU): services

   • 8 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

Seromolecular services unit (SSU)

1. Seromolecular services unit (SSU): reference and diagnostic services

   • 8 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

2. Hepatitis viruses investigation request form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

3. HIV reference test referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

4. Herpes simplex virus and HHV-8 referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

5. HTLV reference test referral form

   • 1 April 2014
   • Form

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy unit (TSE)

1. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy unit (TSE): services

   • 8 August 2014
   • Detailed guide

• Published: 8 August 2014

• From: Public Health England