Guidance

Meningococcal reference unit: user manual

Updated 24 December 2025

Executive summary

This document contains information on reference services for:

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) isolate characterisation
  • capsular polysaccharide antigen detection (serogrouping)
  • Porin B (PorB) serotyping
  • Porin A (PorA) serosubtyping
  • antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• meningococcal (and Streptococcus pneumoniae) DNA detection and meningococcal capsular grouping (groups A, B, C, W, and Y) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• meningococcal serology including vaccine response (performed by the Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU))

Authorised by: Professor Ray Borrow (Head of Meningococcal Reference Unit and Vaccine Evaluation Unit)

Effective date: December 2025

Introduction

Meningococcal Reference Unit overview

The Meningococcal Reference Unit (MRU) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI) has been situated in Manchester since 1978. Originally established to provide phenotypic characterisation of meningococci isolated from cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) throughout the country, the nature and scope of the confirmation and surveillance activity have widened, as has the range of tests available.

The MRU is located at the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) and is an integral component of the Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP). The MMMP is part of the recently established Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

The MRU works closely with other parts of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), particularly the Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division and local Health Protection teams to optimise meningococcal disease ascertainment through enhanced surveillance, often with direct communication with UKHSA Health Protection teams.

Accredited to ISO 15189, the MRU has been a world leader in developing and making available tests for non-culture case confirmation of meningococcal infection by PCR. Initially designed to identify the major disease-causing serogroups (A, B, C, W and Y), the test repertoire has been extended to provide more detailed molecular characterisation both from cultured isolates, and where possible, directly from clinical specimens. Since July 2010 all invasive disease isolates undergo whole genome sequence analysis.

Optimal surveillance, along with serological studies performed in the co-located Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU), were key elements in supporting and monitoring the successful introduction of the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine in the UK in 1999, the introduction of serogroup A conjugate vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010, and serogroup B (MenB) and ACWY vaccination in the UK in 2015, and have contributed significantly to establishing the international reputation of the MRU. In addition to providing confirmatory laboratory services and strain characterisation, staff from the MRU advise on the investigation and management of individual cases and outbreaks.

The MRU has been active in establishing and maintaining collaborative networks between national reference laboratories, collaborating to harmonise and optimise surveillance throughout Europe and sharing this experience with other interested groups worldwide. This has resulted in the establishment of the European Meningococcal and Haemophilus Disease Society (EMGM).

The MRU supports work-packages in the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) Invasive Bacterial Diseases Laboratory Network (IBDlabnet), with particular regard to the provision of External Quality Assessment (EQA) in collaboration with UKHSA Colindale and UK NEQAS. Since 2013 the MRU has managed WHO EQA panels (with UKHSA and UK NEQAS) for WHO Regional, National and Sentinel Laboratories.

MRU services and resources

Services and resources provided by the MRU include:

• meningococcal culture confirmation and characterisation
• meningococcal DNA detection and genogroup detection by real-time PCR
• clinical advice for case and outbreak investigation and management
• genotypic and phenotypic measurement of vaccine antigens (enhanced surveillance)
• technical laboratory advice and support for large scale investigations and carriage studies
• collection of more than 50,000 phenotypically characterised meningococcal isolates
• collection of more than 5,000 indexed invasive meningococcal genomes (publicly available via PubMLST.org)
• archive of more than 6,000 meningococcal PCR-positive clinical samples (stored under HTA licence)
• electronic data sets of all laboratory-confirmed IMD cases since 1984
• support for collaborative scientific projects and audits
• participation in a range of EQA activities
• ascertaining serological responses to meningococcal vaccination (performed by the Vaccine Evaluation Unit)
• other than genogroup, molecular characterisation from meningococcal isolates and non-culture material is not UKAS accredited but is for example surveillance, research and/or assisting outbreak investigations

Further information and guidance

Further information and guidance is available:

• UK public health guidance for invasive meningococcal disease
• the national Enhanced Surveillance plan for invasive meningococcal disease in England
• information on meningococcal immunisation can be found in the Green Book: Chapter 22
• Meningococcal disease: guidance, data and analysis has further information, with links to related resources

MRU postal addresses

DX address

Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership
DX 6962410
Manchester 90 M

Courier address

Meningococcal Reference Unit (UKHSA)
Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership
Central Specimen Reception
MFT Autolab reception, ground floor of Clinical Sciences Building 2
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester, UK
M13 9WL

Vaccine Evaluation Unit (UKHSA)
Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership
Central Specimen Reception
MFT Autolab reception, ground floor of Clinical Sciences Building 2
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester, UK
M13 9WL

Postal address (paper mail)

Meningococcal Reference Unit (UKHSA)
Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership
PO Box 209
Clinical Sciences Building 2
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester, UK
M13 9WL

Vaccine Evaluation Unit (UKHSA)
Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership
PO Box 209
Clinical Sciences Building 2
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester, UK
M13 9WL

Enquiries

General laboratory results enquiries

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm

Call +44 (0)161 276 8788. Select option 4 for authorised results for:

• meningococcal isolate characterisation (serogrouping/typing and sensitivities)
• meningococcal PCR (confirmation and genogroup)
• pneumococcal PCR (confirmation)
• meningococcal serology

Technical enquiries

Refer to Personnel.

Clinical enquiries

Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm

Call Professor Ray Borrow or refer to Personnel.

Alternatively for MRU or VEU clinical advice use +44 (0)161 276 8788.

Select option 4 and then option 1.

Out-of-hours enquiries

For urgent enquiries, contact the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust switchboard on +44 (0)161 276 1234 and ask for the Medical Microbiologist on-call.

Personnel

Meningococcal reference unit: technical laboratory enquiries

For non-clinical advice including:

• meningococcal isolate identification and characterisation including speciation, serogrouping, serotyping/subtyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing
• meningococcal real-time PCR molecular detection including capsular grouping
• outbreak and cluster investigations
• samples and sample submission

Contact:

Xilian Bai PhD
Clinical Scientist (HCPC: CS024345)
Tel: +44(0)161 276 6764
Email: xilian.bai@ukhsa.gov.uk

Jay Lucidarme PhD
Senior Scientist
Tel: +44(0)161 276 6764
Email: jay.lucidarme@ukhsa.gov.uk

Stephen Clark PhD
Senior Scientist
Tel: +44(0)161 276 5689
Email: stephen.clark@ukhsa.gov.uk

Meningococcal reference unit: clinical enquiries

For:

• patient investigation and clinical advice
• clinical interpretation of laboratory results
• outbreak management advice

Contact:

Professor Ray Borrow PhD., FRCPath
Consultant Clinical Scientist (HCPC: CS00231)
Head of MRU and Head of Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU)
Tel: +44(0)161 276 8850
Email: ray.borrow@ukhsa.gov.uk

Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU): technical laboratory and clinical enquiries

For advice or queries on:

• meningococcal vaccine evaluation, research and development
• meningococcal vaccine response assessment
• meningococcal vaccine research projects
• service and molecular research projects

Contact:

Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU)
General enquiries- Serum bactericidal antibody assays
Tel: +44(0)161 276 6793

George Gyamfi-Brobbey, PhD, FIBMS
Clinical Scientist, Vaccine Evaluation Unit (HCPC: CS021791)
Tel: +44 (0)161 276791/6792 
Email: George.GyamfiBrobbey@ukhsa.gov.uk
George.Gyamfi-Brobbey@mft.nhs.uk
G.Gyamfi-Brobbey@nhs.net

Professor Ray Borrow PhD., FRCPath,
Head of MRU and Head of Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU)
Tel: +44(0)161 276 8850
Email: ray.borrow@ukhsa.gov.uk

UKHSA Immunisation Division (Colindale)

For advice on immunisation and public health response queries, email immunisation.lead@ukhsa.gov.uk.

Clinical advice is available through the UKHSA Colindale Duty Doctor service.

Dial +44(0)208 200 4400 and ask for the duty doctor. Out of hours service is available on this number.

Meningococcal isolate characterisation

Species confirmation

Phenotypic confirmation of Neisseria meningitidis isolates based on morphology (colony morphology and microscopy including Gram stain), and biochemical (carbohydrate utilisation tests, oxidase test and API-NH) and serological (serogroup/type/subtype) reactions. Other testing may be performed to support species confirmation when they are needed such as genome sequence analysis.

Meningococcal phenotyping

Phenotypic characterisation includes:

• serogroup: identification of capsular polysaccharide antigens by serological reactions: dot-blot ELISA using monoclonal antibodies (supplied by NIBSC). Co-agglutination using in-house polyclonal antibodies or commercial latex antigen kits may also be used to aid characterisation
• serotype: identification of Porin B (PorB; class 2 or 3) outer membrane proteins by dot-blot ELISA using monoclonal antibodies (supplied by NIBSC)
• serosubtype: identification of Porin A (PorA; class 1) outer membrane proteins by dot-blot ELISA using monoclonal antibodies (supplied by NIBSC)

Meningococcal genotyping

Genome sequence analysis

Since July 2010, meningococcal genome sequence analysis is performed for all culture-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease cases as part of invasive meningococcal disease surveillance. Indexed draft genome assemblies are submitted to the Meningitis Research Foundation Meningococcus Genome Library.

Genome sequence analysis allows the characterisation of the majority of meningococcal genes including routine typing targets and vaccine antigens. High resolution genomic analyses can be performed to determine the relatedness of isolates, for example, for outbreak or cluster investigations to support public health decisions. Turn-around times can vary, however, genome sequence analysis on isolates of particular interest can be expedited, if required.

Targeted sequencing of vaccine antigens

In urgent cases, individual characterisation of vaccine antigens (for example, Factor H-Binding Protein (fHbp) and PorA) can be performed by Sanger sequence analysis on request. These assays are not United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited.

Antibiotic susceptibility testing

Minimum Inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for benzylpenicillin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime, are routinely determined using commercial gradient diffusion strip methodology and reported for all submitted isolates.

Antimicrobial breakpoints are defined by The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). These breakpoints can be found on the EUCAST website.

Please note that it is not unusual to observe reduced susceptibility to penicillin for meningococcal case isolates. Approximately 38% of serogroup B isolates in 2018 to 2019 show reduced susceptibility (Willerton L and others, 2021 (8)). Isolates with penicillin MICs > 0.5 mg/L are tested for the presence of Beta-lactamases.

PCR and molecular testing

Meningococcal screening PCR and genogrouping assays

Meningococcal-specific real-time PCR assays are used to detect N. meningitidis DNA and determine the capsular group (genogroup) where possible.

The MRU screening assay is performed on all specimens submitted for PCR. This 4-component multiplex assay comprises the following 4 gene targets:

• meningococcal ctrA: universal among encapsulated meningococci. May be absent in unencapsulated meningococci (Guiver and others, 2011; Gray and others, 2014; McHugh and others, 2015) (3,4,5)
• meningococcal siaDB (or csb): meningococcal serogroup B determinant gene
• pneumococcal ply: pneumolysin gene - screen for Streptococcus pneumoniae
• internal control (IC): Added during extraction. Screening assay results valid only if IC is positive. A negative IC could indicate presence of PCR inhibitors

Upon confirmation of ctrA positivity and in the absence of siaDB (csb) positivity (probable non-group B meningococcus), further group-specific PCR assays based on serogroup determinant genes are used. Firstly, samples are tested for group C (siaDc/csc), W (siaDw/csw) and Y (siaDy/csy) determinant genes. Finally, if still negative, a group A determinant gene (mynA) PCR may be used, although group A disease or carriage is rare in the UK.

It is possible for low-level positives (low DNA concentration) to be weakly positive with the ctrA screening assay but not detected with the specific siaD capsular grouping assays. Hence meningococcal DNA may be detected but genogroup not determined.

Pneumococcal detection

Samples that test positive for the pneumolysin (ply) PCR screen in the screening assay are tested for pneumococcal confirmation using a pneumococcus specific autolysin (lytA) PCR. Samples found to be positive for both ply and lytA are reported as pneumococcal PCR positive.

Samples that are positive for ply alone may indicate detection of a non-pneumococcal streptococcal species and are reported as pneumococcal PCR negative.

DNA from pneumococcal carriage can be detected in the blood samples of children under the age of 2 years. Consequently, clinical interpretation of the molecular results is recommended for all positive pneumococcal reports among children less than 2 years of age (Dagan and others, 1998 (6)). A comment is made therefore on all MRU pneumococcal PCR positive reports for children aged under 2 years to that effect.

Meningococcal serology (VEU)

The following serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assays are performed by the Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU), co-located with the MRU at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

MenACWY rSBA

This assay measures functional (bactericidal) antibody titres against capsular polysaccharide expressed by group A, C, W or Y meningococcal reference strains. The assay utilises baby rabbit serum as an exogenous complement source. An rSBA titre of ≥8 is the internationally recognised surrogate for protection against groups A, C, W, and Y strains.

MenB hSBA

This assay measures functional (bactericidal) antibody titres against sub-capsular antigens expressed by a panel of serogroup B meningococcal reference strains. This assay utilises exogenous human complement. An hSBA titre of ≥4 is the internationally recognised surrogate for protection against serogroup B strains.

Serodiagnosis of meningococcal disease is not available.

MRU request form (cultures and PCR samples)

All culture and PCR samples should be submitted along with the completed the MRU request form.

Please ensure that all essential information (as indicated on the form) is provided and that information on the form matches the corresponding information on the sample or culture label. If important information is missing, or there are discrepancies, sending laboratories may need to be contacted which could result in a delay in testing.

Submitting samples to the MRU

Submitting meningococcal cultures or isolates

Suspected meningococcal isolates must be submitted along with a completed UKHSA MRU Request Form in accordance with the MMMP Specimen Acceptance Policy. Please refer to MRU postal addresses section above.

Specimen type

Please send pure viable cultures isolated from any site. These include sterile sites (such as CSF, blood, joint fluids) and any non-sterile sites (for example nose, throat, bronchial lavage, sputum, anorectal, urogenital), if available.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates should be submitted to the AMRHAI (antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections) reference unit, UKHSA Colindale. Refer to AMRHAI Reference Unit’s reference and diagnostic services for submission requirements.

Slopes (preferred)

The preferred media for transport of cultures are agar (chocolate heated, blood or Dorset egg) slopes after overnight incubation at 37°C. Short-term storage of sloped cultures at 30°C is optimal if there are delays before submission.

Special precautions:

• non-viable cultures: cultures which are no longer viable may still be considered for characterisation by molecular based methods after consultation with the MRU
• should it be necessary to submit an un-incubated culture, apply a heavy inoculum to ensure survival of the organism during transport. Please indicate on the request form if the slope has not been pre-incubated

Swabs

Six-inch transport swabs in Amies gel medium are preferred. Charcoal additive is acceptable but please note that the presence of charcoal may interfere with direct, rapid agglutination reactions if urgent results are required.

Note: the following swab types are strongly discouraged:

• swabs with highly flexible (for example, twisted wire) shafts
• shorter 3-inch swabs (these are more difficult to open and close without contaminating the rim of the tube).
• liquid transport swabs (there is a risk of leakage during transport and receipt)

If in doubt please discuss it with MRU staff before submission.

Frozen suspensions

If you wish to submit meningococcal isolates as frozen liquid suspensions on cryopreservative media, please contact senior MRU staff (see Personnel) beforehand to ensure material is received and stored appropriately.

Frozen liquid suspensions (for example microbead storage systems) are the preferred method for transport of large batches of isolates (for example for research studies).

When sending frozen liquid suspensions, special attention must be made to the appropriate packaging and transportation requirements.

Other media

If you wish to submit meningococcal cultures on any other type of media, please contact senior MRU staff see Personnel beforehand to discuss.

Submitting specimens for PCR testing

Samples for PCR testing must be sent alongside a completed MRU Request Form in accordance with the MMMP Specimen Acceptance Policy. Please refer to MRU postal addresses section above.

Special precautions: remember to also collect blood cultures and a throat swab for bacteriology and label these clearly for meningococcal investigation.

Refer to MMMP user guide.

Section Meningococcal DNA detection by PCR (including Pneumococcal PCR).

PCR sample container

EDTA Blood tube or CE marked leak proof container should be used.

Whole CSF (an uncentrifuged specimen) should be sent in small sterile containers such as a sterile 2mL screw capped vial (rather than universal containers.

Volume of sample

A minimum of 500 µL (0.5 mL) of fluid (for example EDTA, CSF) is required for extraction without dilution.

Smaller volumes will be diluted as required resulting in reduced detection sensitivity. Greater volumes (up to 2 mL) are preferred to allow repeat testing.

PCR sample storage and transport

Ambient or refrigerated.

Samples should be stored at 4ºC (not frozen) prior to transport at ambient. Freeze-thawing may reduce the likelihood of positivity with low genome copy samples.

Preferred PCR sample types

The MRU DNA extraction platforms and PCR assays have been validated for:

• whole blood (EDTA)
• coagulated whole blood
• CSF
• serum
• plasma
• joint fluids
• pleural fluid

EDTA is preferred. Heparinised, clotted blood, serum or citrated samples can be tested, but sensitivity may be compromised. Only the serum fraction of coagulated bloods can be tested.

Original CSF (uncentrifuged) or re-suspended CSF deposits are preferred to CSF supernatants in order to increase the sensitivity of detection. Definitive laboratory confirmation of meningococcal meningitis can only be made by analysis of a CSF sample.

Other PCR sample types

DNA extracts

DNA extracts from primary molecular laboratories are accepted, however, the sensitivity of the assay will be dependent on the efficiency of the extraction method utilised by the submitting laboratory. A minimum of 5 µL is required testing but please submit as much as possible.

Other specimens from normally sterile sites

Other specimens from normally sterile sites (for example tissue samples or blocks) may be examined after prior consultation with the MRU. They are not currently considered a routine investigation as they require bespoke manual processing with concomitant increases in turnaround time. The results from such samples should be considered ‘unvalidated’ and interpreted as such.

Blood culture bottle fluid

Blood culture bottle fluid (from automated culture detection systems) can be tested. Please do not send the original blood culture bottle. It must be aliquoted and submitted in a screw capped microtube or similar.

Note: Blood culture fluid will require an additional purification step to remove PCR inhibitors. As such, the detection sensitivity may be reduced. As with all samples, please ensure that culture bottle fluid is clearly identified as such. This is especially important owing to the additional safety risks associated with this sample.

Repeat or additional testing

Additional testing can be requested by telephone or letter. Please note, additional testing is subject to sufficient sample volume being available.

Factors known to significantly affect the results

Any specimens for PCR tests should be stored at 4oC and not frozen prior to transport.

The likelihood of a positive result decreases as the interval of sampling after starting antibiotics lengthens. It is recommended that samples for meningococcal PCR are collected as soon as possible following disease onset, admission to hospital or administration of antibiotics. Samples for PCR taken more than 48 hours after commencement of antibiotic therapy are unlikely to give useful results. CSF may remain “positive” for longer periods.

Urgent MRU specimens (submitted via courier)

Arrangements to accept urgent couriered samples must be agreed with the MRU before the samples are despatched. Failure to do so may result in the specimen(s) being lost or not being tested in a timely fashion.

Submitting samples via an overnight courier to arrive from 8:30am the following day has proven to be the most reliable transport.

Sending urgent specimens out of hours

We strongly discourage sending urgent couriered samples for delivery out of hours (after 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, at weekends, or on Bank Holidays). If unavoidable, specimens should be labelled as urgent and addressed to the ‘Virologist On-Call’ or ‘Microbiologist On-Call’.

Couriered specimens should be delivered to:

1. Meningococcal Reference Unit (UKHSA) Manchester Medical Microbiology PartnershipCentral Specimen Reception (MFT Autolab reception, ground floor of Clinical Sciences Building 2), Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK, M13 9WL

or

2. The drop-off ‘hatch’ of Central Specimen Reception, accessible from outside the Clinical Sciences Building on the Boulevard under the link-bridge.

VEU request form (meningococcal serology)

All serology samples should be submitted along with the completed the VEU preventable serology request form.

Please ensure all information matches the information on the corresponding sample label. If important information is missing, or there are discrepancies, sending laboratories may need to be contacted which could result in a delay in testing.

Submitting samples to the Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU) for meningococcal serology

For serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assays, all samples should be submitted along with the completed Vaccine Preventable Serology request form in accordance with the MMMP Specimen Acceptance Policy.

A minimum sample volume of clotted blood or serum of 500µL is required. Post-vaccination samples of clotted blood or serum should be collected 3 to 8 weeks following vaccination.

It is important that the patient’s relevant immunisation details, complement inhibitor (for example, eculizumab or ravulizumab) therapy or any current antibiotics are recorded on the request form.

Sample packaging and transportation

MMMP Specimen Acceptance Policy

All samples submitted to the MRU or VEU must meet the requirements of the MMMP Specimen Acceptance Policy. Failure to meet these criteria may result in delays in testing.

Sample transportation

It is the responsibility of senders to comply with the current transport legislation and safety recommendations. All samples must be submitted in packaging appropriate for the transport of biological substance category B (UN3373). Refer to IATA category B Packing Instruction 650. If in doubt, please contact MRU staff for guidance regarding sample packaging or transportation of meningococcal cultures and PCR samples.

Turnaround times and result reporting

The estimated turnaround times for MRU services are outlined in the table below. These are given as a general guide and may vary widely depending on the time of receipt, sample type and the analyses performed.

All times include working days only (Monday to Friday).

Service	Time to telephone result	Time to generation of final report
Meningococcal isolate characterisation	Up to 3 working days (provisional serogroup result for isolates from sterile and eye-related sites only)	up to 10 working days (typing and susceptibilities)
Meningococcal PCR testing	1 to 2 days [Note 1] (only positive results are phoned out. General laboratory results enquiries can be made Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm – refer to Telephone contacts	2 working days
Meningococcal serology - serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay (performed by Vaccine Evaluation Unit)	N/A	28 working days

Note 1: PCR samples must be received at the MRU by 10am weekdays to be tested the same working day. PCR negative and meningococcal group B positive results are typically available within 24 hours of receipt. Results on samples requiring additional meningococcal genogrouping or pneumococcal PCR (lytA) confirmation are typically available within 48 hours of sample receipt.

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Positive PCR results will be telephoned following serogroup confirmation up to 5pm or the following morning of the next working day.

Contaminated culture will delay the results.

Urgent samples may be processed more rapidly provided the laboratory is notified in advance of receipt.

eLab

From late 2018 there has been a phased roll-out of MRU eLab (electronic) reporting for submitting laboratories in order to reduce reporting and therefore overall turnaround times.

Contact Mr Scott Taylor for MRU eLab enquiries: scott.taylor@ukhsa.gov.uk

Laboratory results are communicated to the relevant Health Protection Teams (HPT) through the Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS). It is the responsibility of the submitting local laboratory to notify their local Consultant in Communicable Disease (CCDC) or HPT upon suspected or confirmation of IMD and meningococcal conjunctivitis, and in the event of positive meningococcal PCR results in an appropriate, timely fashion.

Charges

MRU charges

Isolate characterisation and meningococcal PCR testing are provided free of charge for users in England and Wales.

Users from Northern Ireland and other countries will be charged for PCR testing.

VEU charges

Users will be charged for meningococcal serology requests (vaccine response testing) if not initiated as part of an MRU or UKHSA epidemiological or case investigation. Current prices can be obtained from Mr Scott Taylor at scott.taylor@ukhsa.gov.uk.

Data and tissue handling

MRU policies strictly adhere to the guidelines set out in the relevant data and tissue handling legislation, including the Caldicott Report (1997) and the Human Tissue Act (2004).

Data handling

The recommendations of the Caldicott Report (1997) and The Data Protection Act 2018 have been adopted by UKHSA and by the National Health Service as a whole. These recommendations relate to the security of patient identifying data (PID) and the uses to which this is put. MRU, as an integral part of Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership, observes Caldicott guidance in handling PID. The MMMP has appointed its own Caldicott Guardian who advises on confidentiality issues and is responsible for monitoring the physical security of PID. This also applies to the transfer of results of investigations to and from MMMP, whether by mail services, telephone or email. The value of ‘safe haven’ arrangements or other means of the sender and receiver of information identifying themselves to each other before data is transferred is emphasised.

MMMP audits the security of its PID in collaboration with its customers. Customers are invited to review our arrangements in conjunction with the Caldicott Guardian. Customers are also asked to draw to the Caldicott Guardian’s attention any instances where PID security has been threatened or has broken down. Uses that PID are put to outside clinical diagnostic services generally allow patient identifiers to have been removed before hand, and when PID is used for research purposes the proposals are considered first by the National Research Ethics Committee. All enquiries about the security and use of PID should be addressed to the Deputy Caldicott Guardian, William Welfare (telephone: +44(0)161 234 9473), e-mail: william.welfare@ukhsa.gov.uk.

Data containing patient information will not be sent using fax. Only email accounts that can guarantee data encryption (secure or closed email systems) are used for sending patient information.

Human Tissue Act (HTA) compliance

The MRU adheres to the HTA and its application within the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust site.

Tissue samples (such as CSF, whole blood, joint fluid) from patients are submitted to the MRU with their consent (obtained at time of sampling) for disease confirmation, epidemiological or public health investigations. Samples are tested and retained in accordance with the MRU specimen retention policy. Any residual original sample is retained for 1 year following initial processing.

Since 2006 in accordance with the HTA, post mortem samples or samples from the deceased have been returned if requested or sensitively destroyed.

Where possible, all meningococcal PCR positive residual clinical samples (from persons living at time of collection) are retained for quality control, assay development or epidemiological investigation under the local Research and Development HTA license.

Should it be necessary to contact the MRU regarding a HTA issue, the nominated persons within MMMP are:

UKHSA Research and Development Person Designated (PD)
Professor Ray Borrow

Post Mortem PD (MFT Bacteriology)
Mr Ben Kirkman (telephone: +44(0)161 276 8851)

MRU clinical specimen archive

In 2006, the MRU began storing a subset of meningococcal PCR-positive clinical specimens under an MMMP HTA licence for the purposes of quality control, assay development, epidemiological investigations or experimental research. In more recent years, all residual PCR-positive clinical material from living persons (at time of collection) is retained under the licence.

The specimens in this archive are available for use in relevant external projects with appropriate ethical approvals. Please refer to Personnel to enquire for further information. Details on MRU specimen retention and HTA compliance can be found in the Data and Tissue Handling section.

References

1. Lucidarme J and others. 2015. ‘Genomic resolution of an aggressive, widespread, diverse and expanding meningococcal serogroup B, C and W lineage’ Journal of Infection 2015: volume 71, issue 5, pages 544 to 552

2. Brooks A and others. ‘Detection of the United States Neisseria meningitidis urethritis clade in the UK and the emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance – a call for vigilance’ Eurosurveillance 2020: volume 25, issue 15

3. Guiver M and others. ‘Modifications to a Published ctrA PCR assay for the improved non-culture confirmation of meningococcal disease in England and Wales’ Meningitis Research Foundation meningitis and septicaemia in children and adults conference 4 to 5 November 2011, London, UK.

4. Gray SJ and others. ‘Quality improvements for the non-culture (PCR) confirmation of meningococcal disease in England’ XVIIIth International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference (IPNC), Wuerzburg, Germany, 9 to 14 September 2014. Poster abstract 121, page 261

5. McHugh MP and others. ‘Reduced turnaround time and improved diagnosis of invasive serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections using a lyophilized quadruplex quantitative PCR’ Journal of Medical Microbiology 2015: volume 64, issue 11, pages 1,321 to 1,328

6. Dagan R and others. ‘Prospective study to determine clinical relevance of detection of pneumococcal DNA in sera of children by PCR’ Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1998: volume 36, issue 3, pages 669 to 673

7. World Health Organization (WHO). Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae’ WHO Manual, Second Edition, 2011

8. Willerton L and others. Antibiotic resistance among invasive Neisseria meningitidis isolates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2010/11 to 2018/19) PLoS One 2021: volume 16, issue 11, e0260677