Skip to main content
hpa logo
Topics A-Z:
Search the site:
Home Products & Services Infectious Diseases Specialist and Reference Microbiology Tests and Services
Printer friendly page (opens in new window)

Specialist and Reference Microbiology Tests and Services

The Centre for Infections provides a comprehensive range of microbiological tests and services as indicated below (please see HPA terms and conditions).

To find a particular organism, use the A to Z index below or simply scroll down the page.

A

B

C

D-G

H

I-L

M-N

P-R

S

T-Z

The request form you should use is provided as a link against each test/service.

Further information regarding these or other tests can be obtained from the Laboratory's User Manual or direct from the Laboratory. Links to both the relevant User Manual and Laboratory web-page (where you will find contact details) are provided against each test/service. Information on primary diagnostic testing methods is available at http://www.hpa-standardmethods.org.uk/pdf_sops.asp.

Please also refer to our guidance on packaging samples and guidance on using our request forms.

Agent/Organism Service - A Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Acinetobacter spp

  • Typing
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase detection)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Actinomyces spp (Anaerobic)

  • Identification/confirmation
  • Antibiotic susceptibility

Contact Laboratory

ARL  

Actinomycetes (Aerobic)

  • Identification/confirmation

MISU

 DBHT User Manual (PDF, 72 KB)

 

Amoebae

  • Detection
  • Identification/confirmation
  • Serodiagnosis
Contact Laboratory

PRL

 

Anaerobes (Bacteroides, Clostridia, Fusobacteria, Actinomyces spp., other closely related genera)

  • Identification
Contact Laboratory
ARL  

Antibiotic resistance molecular investigations
(See individual organisms for details of testing available)

       

Antibiotic susceptibility testing

  • MIC testing

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Antifungal drug susceptibility

  • MIC Testing
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Arboviruses (Alphaviruses, Flaviviruses, Nairoviruses, Phleboviruses, Hantaviruses)

  • Isolation
  • Serology
  • PCR

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

 

Aspergillus

  • Identification/confirmation
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

< top

Agent/Organism Service B Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Bacillus anthracis

  • Identification / confirmation
  • PCR
  • Serology
  • Characterisation (phage, penicillin sensitivity)

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Bacillus

  • Identification

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

Bartonella (Cat Scratch Disease)

  • Serology
  • Identification
  • Antigen or genome detection and culture from clinical material

RSIL - Bartonella

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

BK virus

  • Serology
  • PCR

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

 

Blastomyces dermatidis

  • Serology
  • Identification / confirmation
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Bordetella pertussis & other bordetellae

  • B. pertussis serology
  • B. pertussis PCR
  • Identification / characterisation of bordetella isolates

RSIL - Bordetella

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Borrelia spp (See Lyme Disease)

       

Botulism (See Clostridium botulinum)

       

Brucella spp

  • Serodiagnosis
  • Speciation and Characterisation

BRU

Burkholderia cepacia complex

  • Identification and typing

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei

  • Identification
 Request Form H2 (PDF, 88 KB)

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 
  • Serodiagnosis

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

< top

Agent/Organism Service C Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Campylobacter spp

Identification
and typing

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 

Candida spp

Identification / confirmation

Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

Chlamydia trachomatis

Culture

Genome detection

STBRL

 STBRL User Manual (PDF, 132 KB)

Chlamydia (Respiratory)

Serodiagnosis only

RSIL - Chlamydia

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

Citrobacter

Identification and Serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

CJD

CJD prevalalence studies

National Anonymous Tonsil Archive (NATA)

Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Cladophialophora bantiana

Identification / confirmation

Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Clostridium botulinum

Isolation, identification and toxin detection

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

Clostridium difficile

16S/23S PCR ribotyping

Antibiotic susceptibility testing

Toxin A and B assay on isolates

Contact Laboratory

ARL

 

Typing

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Clostridium perfringens

Molecular identification and typing

Enterotoxin detection

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

Clostridium tetani

Confirmation / dentification of isolates by toxin gene detection

Detection of neurotoxin in serum

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

 

Serology

RSIL - Tetanus

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

Coccidioides immitus

Serology

Identification / confirmation

Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Corynebacterium diphtheriae,

C. ulcerans,

C. pseudotuberculosis

Identification / confirmation and toxin testing

Immunity and vaccination studies

RSIL - Corynebacterium

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Coxiella burnettii

Phase I and II serology

PCR

Isolation

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

A-Z Link
  Serology
Contact Laboratory

QRU

 

Coxsackie A/B virus

Detection / typing/ characterisation

(especially A serotypes and all other non-polio enteroviruses)

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Cryptococcus spp

Identification / confirmation

Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

Cryptosporidium spp

Detection

Identification / confirmation

Typing

Contact Laboratory

CRU

< top

Agent/Organism Service D - G Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Dengue virus

  • Serology

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Dermatophytes

  • Identification / confirmation
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Diphtheria (See Corynebacterium diphtheriae)

       

Electron microscopy

 

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Encephalitis

  • Virus discovery in encephalitis
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Endocarditis

  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing (MIC testing)

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Enterobacter spp

  • Typing
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase and ESBL detection)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Enterococcus spp

  • Speciation and typing
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Linezolid resistance mutations)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Enterococcus faecium

  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Quinupristin / dalfopristin resistance genes)

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Enterovirus

  • Typing

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Escherichia

  • Identification

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 

Escherichia coli

  • Identification and Serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 
 
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase, ESBL and Plasmidic AmpC detection)

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Escherichia coli O157 and other VTEC

  • Phage typing (O157 only)
  • PCR - gene detection

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 
  • Serodiagnosis

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Other enterovirulent E.coli

  • PCR - gene detection

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Gram-negative bacteria (fermenters and non-fermenters)

  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase detection)
  • Identification

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Gram-positive rod (except C.diptheriae)

  • Identification

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

< top

Agent/Organism Service H Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Haemophilus ducreyi

  • Identification / confirmation

STBRL

 STBRL User Manual (PDF, 132 KB)

 

Haemophilus spp (Invasive isolates)

  • Identification / confirmation

RSIL - Haemophilus

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

Haemophilus influenzae (Invasive isolates)

  • Identification / confirmation
  • Serological typing
  • Capsular genotyping

RSIL - Haemophilus

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Haemorrhagic fever viruses

  • Serology, PCR, culture
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Helicobacter

  • Isolation
  • Identification and typing
  • Molecular identification
  • Molecular resistance testing
  • Stool antigen test

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Hepatitis A virus

  • Antibody detection
  • Genome detection
  • Molecular epidemiology studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Hepatitis B virus

  • Antibody/antigen detection
  • Genome detection
  • Molecular epidemiology studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Hepatitis C virus

  • Antibody detection
  • Genome detection
  • Molecular epidemiology studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Hepatitis D virus

  • Antibody detection

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Hepatitis E virus

  • Antibody detection
  • Genome detection
  • Molecular epidemiology studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 
  • Serology & RNA (SHEV Project)

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Herpes B virus

  • Culture
  • PCR/dot blot
  • Serology
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

HHV-6

  • Antibody detection
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

HHV-7

  • Antibody detection
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

HHV-8

  • Genome detection

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Histamine (Scombrotoxin)

 

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

 

Histoplasma capsulatum

  • Serology
  • Identification / confirmation
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Histology slides

  • Examination for the presence of fungi
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

HIV 1 & 2

  • Antibody/antigen detection
  • Genome detection
  • Molecular epidemiology studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

HIV Resistance Testing  Request Form S9 - HIV Genotypic Resistance Testing (PDF, 82 KB) VRD VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

HSV 1 & 2

 

  • Antibody detection type specific antibody

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

AVU

 

 

  • Resistance testing
 

AVU

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

HTLV I and II

  • Antibody detection
  • Genome detection

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

< top

Agent/Organism Service I - L Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Identification of new pathogens

  • MALDI-TOF-MS
  • Cellular fatty acids
  • 16s ribosomal sequence analysis

MISU

 DBHT User Manual (PDF, 72 KB)

 

Infection control

  • Advice
Contact Laboratory

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Influenza

  • Culture
  • PCR

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 
  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Influenza (swine)

 

 Request Form E14: Swine H1N1 Influenza investigation (PDF, 80 KB)

 Request Form E15: Swine-Lineage Influenza A (H1N1) Serology (PDF, 82 KB)
A-Z Link

JC virus

  • Serology
  • PCR

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Klebsiella spp

  • Typing
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase, ESBL and Plasmidic AmpC detection)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Legionella

  • Identification and typing
  • Antigen/genome detection/ culture from clinical material
  • Serology

RSIL - Legionella

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1

  • Urinary antigen detection

RSIL - Legionella

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

Leptospira spp

  • Isolation / confirmation
  • Identification
  • Serology

LRU

Listeria

  • Identification / molecular typing
  • PCR for diagnosis

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

Lyme Disease

  • Serology
  • PCR
Contact Laboratory

Lyme RU

< top

Agent/Organism Service M - N Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Malaria

  • Blood film diagnosis
  • Antigen detection
  • PCR
  • Drug resistance markers

Malaria RL

 MRL user handbook (PDF, 166 KB)

Moulds

  • Identification / confirmation
  • Susceptibility testing
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Measles

  • Cell culture
  • PCR / genotyping
  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

MRSA (See Staphylococcus aureus)

       

Mumps

  • Cell culture
  • PCR / genotyping
  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Mycobacterium spp

  • Identification, genotyping

NMRL

 User Manual (PDF, 341 KB)
  • Drug susceptibility
  • Molecular diagnosis eg PCR for rapid species identification and detection of resistance genes

NMRL

 User Manual (PDF, 341 KB)
 
  • Molecular epidemiological studies

NMRL

 User Manual (PDF, 341 KB)

 
  • QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test

NMRL

 User Manual (PDF, 341 KB)

 QuantiFERON®-TB tube order form (PDF, 11 KB)

 QuantiFERON®-TB test guidelines (PDF, 22 KB)

Mycoplasma spp

  • Identification
  • Antigen / genome detection / culture from clinical material

RSIL - Mycoplasma

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Mycoplasma genitalium

  • Molecular detection

STBRL

STBRL User Manual.pdf

National Standard Methods

 

For information on primary diagnostic methods see here

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

  • Identification / confirmation

STBRL

STBRL User Manual.pdf

Neisseria meningitidis

  • Culture identification
  • Molecular epidemiological studies
  • PCR
  • Serology
Contact Laboratory

MenRU

 Meningococcal Reference Unit User Handbook (PDF, 608 KB)

Nipah and Hendra viruses

  • PCR
  • Isolation

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

 

Nocardia

  • Identification

MISU

 DBHT User Manual (PDF, 72 KB)

 

Norovirus Like (NLV) (See SRSVs (Norovirus))

       

< top

Agent/Organism Service P - R Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Parasites, intestinal protozoa and helminths, Blood and tissue protozoa and helminths

  • Antigen detection
  • Microscopic diagnosis
  • PCR
  • Serodiagnosis
Contact Laboratory

PRL

 

Parvovirus B19

  • Serology
  • PCR

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Penicillium marneffei

  • Antigen detection
  • Histological examination (PM)
  • Identification / confirmation
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • Serodiagnosis
  • Slide identification
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

 

Plasmodium spp

 
Contact Laboratory

PRL

Poliovirus

  • Culture / characterisation
  • Neutralisation
  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Polyomavirus BK (See BK virus)

       

Polyomavirus JC (See JC virus)

       

Poxviruses, orthopox, parapox

  • EM
  • PCR
  • Culture
  • Serology
Contact Laboratory

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

  • Typing
  • Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase detection)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 
 
  • Serodiagnosis

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

PVL disease (See Staphylococcus aureus)

       

Recreational water quality & safety

  • Advice & analysis
Contact Laboratory

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

 

Rotavirus

  • PAGE Electropherotyping
  • P & G typing RT-PCR
  • Molecular epidemiological studies

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Respiratory virus, other

  • Culture
  • PCR/dot blot
  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Rickettsiae
(Typhus and spotted fever groups Orientia tsutsugamusha)

  • Serology
  • PCR

SPRU

 SPRU User Manual 2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

 

Rubella

  • Serology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

< top

Agent/Organism Service S Request Form Laboratory Link and User Manual Other HPA work

Salmonella spp
(for S. Paratyphi A & B, S. Agona,

S. Enteritidis, S. Hadar, S. Java, S. Pullorum,

S. Thompson, S. Typhi, S. Typhimurium,

S. Virchow)

Phage typing

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Salmonella spp (Other)

Identification and serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Salmonella Typhi

Serodiagnosis

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Serratia spp

Typing

Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Carbapenemase detection)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Shigella spp

Identification and serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Shigella sonnei

Phage typing

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

SRSVs (Norovirus)

Electron microscopy

RT-PCR

Molecular epidemiology

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

Staphylococcus aureus

Phage typing

Molecular typing (PFGE)

Toxin gene detection (inc. PVL)

Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Linezolid resistance mutations Quinupristin / dalfopristin resistance genes)

mecA and mupA PCRs (charged for services)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Enterotoxin detection in food or isolates from food

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

 

Serodiagnosis

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Staphylococci (coagulase negative)

Identification and typing

Antibiotic resistance molecular investigation (Linezolid resistance mutations Quinupristin / dalfopristin resistance genes)

mecA and mupA PCRs (charged for services)

LHCAI

ARMRL

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

 

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Typing

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Streptococci

Identification

Group A typing

Group B typing

Group C / G typing

RSIL - Streptococci

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

 

Group A serodiagnosis

LHCAI

 DHCAIAR User Manual (PDF, 160 KB)

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Typing

RSIL - Pneumococci

 RSIL User Manual (PDF, 242 KB)

Swimming, spa & hydrotherapy pools

Investigation & advice

Contact Laboratory

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

 

< top

Agent/Organism
Service T - Z
Request
Form
Laboratory Link and User Manual
Other HPA work

Tetanus (See Clostridium tetani )

 

Toxocara spp

  • Serodiagnosis
Contact Laboratory

PRL

Toxoplasma gondii

  • Isolation
  • Identification
  • Culture collection
  • Serology (for active infection)
  • Molecular diagnostics (PCR)
Contact Laboratory

TRU

Treponema pallidum

  • PCR
  • Genome detection
  • Typing
  • Serology

STBRL

 STBRL User Manual (PDF, 132 KB)

TSE/vCJD (See CJD )

 

TB (Tuberculosis) (See Mycobacterium spp)

   

Ureaplasma

  • Identification

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 

Vibrio spp.

  • Identification

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Vibrio cholerae

  • Serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Vibrio cholerae O1

  • Phage typing

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

Viral gastroenteritis

 

  • Electron microscopy

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

 

  • RT-PCR
 Request Form E6 (PDF, 87 KB)

VRD

 VRD User Manual - UPDATED MAY 12 2009 (PDF, 533 KB)

VTEC (See E.coli VTEC )

 

Water borne disease

  • Field investigation & advice on control
Contact Laboratory

LGP

 FSML User Manual (PDF, 181 KB)

Yeasts

  • Identification
  • Susceptibility testing
Contact Laboratory

Mycology RL

Yersinia

  • Serodiagnosis

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 
  • Identification and serotyping

LGP

 LEP User Manual (PDF, 197 KB)

 

< top


Last reviewed: 10 March 2010