Sexually transmitted infections reference laboratory (STIRL): Clinical reference and surveillance services
STIRL provides specialist and reference services to detect, investigate and characterise clinically important STI pathogens.
The sexually transmitted infections reference laboratory (STIRL) provides specialist and reference services to detect, investigate and characterise clinically important sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens. STIRL is part of UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) bacteriology reference department (BRD).
STIRL Clinical services
STIRL provides national reference facilities for clinically important bacterial STI pathogens, including:
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Treponema pallidum
- Haemophilus ducreyi
- Chlamydia trachomatis: specifically Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) genovars
STIRL offers the following clinical services:
- molecular diagnostics services for LGV, Treponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi
- phenotypic identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates
- molecular diagnostics and detection of macrolide and fluroquinolone antimicrobial resistance markers for Mycoplasma genitalium
- evaluation of new phenotypic and genotypic methods for investigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial STIs
- molecular characterisation of strains to inform surveillance, aid outbreak investigations, identify suspect treatment failures and define diagnostic escape variants.
- provision of diagnostic, scientific and clinical guidance, and advice
Surveillance Services
STIRL is responsible for the delivery of 2 sentinel surveillance programmes, they are:
- Gonococcal resistance to antimicrobials surveillance programme (GRASP)
- Mycoplasma genitalium antimicrobial resistance surveillance (MARS)
New antibiotics and diagnostics
STIRL liaises with pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies to test new antibiotics and new assays, respectively. We have a large collection of representative and unusually resistant isolates that can be used for evaluations. All work is undertaken as contracted research.
Additional information regarding STIRLs service provision, specimen acceptance criteria and turnaround times can be found in the BRD user manual.
STIRL Guidance, Information and Documents
- B2: Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate and Mycoplasma genitalium referral form
- B3: Treponema pallidum (syphilis) PCR referral form
- B7: Chlamydia (LGV) molecular request form
- Managing incidents of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in England
- GRASP Protocol
- GRASP Reports
- MARS Reports
Contact:
Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL)
STIRL: UK Health Security Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ
Email stilab@UKHSA.gov.uk
Telephone 020 8327 7887
DX address: UKHSA Colindale BRD, DX 6530002
South-West Regional Laboratory at Bristol
The South-West Regional Laboratory at Bristol provides syphilis serology confirmation services and additional information can be found within the laboratory user manual.