Collection

Virus reference department (VRD)

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

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 8 August 2014
• Last updated: 2 May 2024 — See all updates

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)
• Electron microscopy (EM)
• Enteric virus unit (EVU)
• Human papillomavirus reference unit (HPU)
• Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU)
• Respiratory virus unit (RVU)

Contact

Virus Reference Department (VRD)

UK Health Security Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5HT

Email vrdqueries@ukhsa.gov.uk

Telephone 0208 327 7887

DX address UKHSA Colindale VRD, DX 6530006

Antiviral unit (AVU)

• Antiviral unit (AVU): reference services
  • 15 April 2020
  • Guidance
• HCV genotypic susceptibility testing request form
  • 6 June 2023
  • Form
• HIV genotypic susceptibility testing request form
  • 12 June 2023
  • Form
• Herpes simplex virus: referral form
  • 5 June 2023
  • Form

Blood borne virus unit (BBVU)

• Blood borne virus unit (BBVU): services
  • 17 January 2023
  • Guidance
• Adenovirus testing in whole blood request form
  • 26 March 2024
  • Form
• Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
  • 30 May 2023
  • Form
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequencing request form
  • 26 March 2024
  • Form
• Hepatitis B: enhanced laboratory surveillance of acute infection
  • 17 July 2023
  • Form

Clinical services unit (CSU)

• Clinical services unit (CSU): reference and diagnostic services
  • 23 January 2017
  • Guidance
• Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
  • 30 May 2023
  • Form
• Herpes simplex virus: referral form
  • 5 June 2023
  • Form
• HIV reference test referral form
  • 7 July 2023
  • Form
• HTLV reference test referral form
  • 8 August 2023
  • Form
• Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8): referral form
  • 7 August 2023
  • Form

Electron microscopy (EM)

• Electron microscopy referral form
  • 23 May 2023
  • Form

Enteric virus unit (EVU)

• Enteric virus unit (EVU): reference services
  • 11 June 2025
  • Guidance
• Enteric virus and polio investigation referral form
  • 28 June 2023
  • Form
• Gastroenteritis outbreak investigation request form
  • 28 June 2023
  • Form

Human papillomavirus virus unit (HPU)

• Human papillomavirus unit (HPU): reference services
  • 27 January 2017
  • Guidance
• Hepatitis viruses investigation request form
  • 30 May 2023
  • Form

Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU)

• Immunisation and diagnosis unit (IDU): diagnostic and reference services
  • 22 July 2021
  • Guidance
• Measles, mumps or rubella (MMR) referral form
  • 7 July 2025
  • Form
• Parvovirus B19 referral form
  • 31 May 2023
  • Form
• Polyomavirus JC investigation request form E13
  • 31 May 2023
  • Form
• Varicella zoster virus referral form
  • 2 June 2023
  • Form
• HHV-6 and HHV-7 referral form
  • 31 May 2023
  • Form
• Intrathecal antibody test request form
  • 26 March 2024
  • Form

Respiratory virus unit (RVU)

• Respiratory virus unit (RVU): diagnostic services
  • 6 November 2023
  • Guidance
• Influenza serology request form
  • 11 August 2023
  • Form
• Typing of influenza strains request form
  • 12 October 2023
  • Form
• Respiratory adenovirus typing request form
  • 1 August 2023
  • Form

VRD documents

• Virus Reference Department (VRD): user manual
  • 3 September 2024
  • Guidance

Published 8 August 2014

Last updated 2 May 2024 + show all updates

1. 2 May 2024

   Removed reference to "Serological development unit (SDU)" and added "Electron microscopy (EM)

2. 26 March 2024

   Added Adenovirus testing in whole blood request form. Removed serological department link.

3. 20 April 2021

   Amended important service update.

4. 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.

5. 15 April 2020

   Added Herpes simplex virus: referral form.

6. 27 November 2019

   Added Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8): referral form.

7. 27 January 2017

   Added HCV genotypic susceptibility testing request form.

8. 8 August 2014

   First published.