Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory (STBRL)
Tel: 020 8327 6464
Fax: 020 8327 6474
Email: stbrl@hpa.org.uk
Director: Professor Catherine Ison
The Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory (STBRL) is an expanding laboratory that provides reference and specialist services for the bacterial sexually transmitted pathogens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium. STBRL currently provides a full reference service for the identification and typing of N. gonorrhoeae, serological confirmation of T. pallidum, molecular diagnostics for C. trachomatis, T. pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, C. trachomatis and M. genitalium. Molecular typing for T. pallidum and C. trachomatis is under development.
Established reference services
- Identification of N. gonorrhoeae
- Susceptibility testing of N. gonorrhoeae
- Molecular typing of N. gonorrhoeae for medico-legal purposes or for outbreak control
- Molecular confirmation of N. gonorrhoeae .
- National surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae (GRASP)
- Confirmation and genotyping of C. trachomatis LGV serovars (L1,2,3)
- Serological testing for syphilis
- Molecular testing of genital ulcer disease (T. pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi)
- Confirmation of C. trachomatis using Real-time PCR.
- Molecular Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium
New Reference Services
- Chlamydia trachomatis Cell Culture Service (see guidelines for more details)
STBRL Chlamydia Culture Service Guidelines (PDF, 33 KB)
Added/updated: 26 May 2009- STBRL Chlamydia Culture Service referral form (PDF, 81 KB)
Added/updated: 26 May 2009 - STBRL CPA Certificate (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Added/updated: 1 June 2009 - Female Enhanced Surveillance Form (PDF, 44 KB)
Female cell culture chlamydia enhanced surveillance form
Added/updated: 26 May 2009 - Chlamydia trachomatis
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)is caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes L1, L2, and L3 and is endemic in some parts of the world but is unusual in Western Europe.
Added/updated: 23 June 2009 - Male Enhanced Surveillance Form (PDF, 44 KB)
Male cell culture chlamydia enhanced surveillance form
Added/updated: 26 May 2009 - Mycoplasma genitalium Reference Work
Added/updated: 29 June 2009 - Neisseria gonorrhoeae Reference Work
Added/updated: 29 June 2009 - Susceptibility testing of N. gonorrhoeae
Added/updated: 29 June 2009 - Treponema pallidum Reference Work
Added/updated: 20 March 2009 - STBRL User Manual (PDF, 132 KB)
Added/updated: 15 April 2008 - Request Form B2 (PDF, 86 KB)
Neisseria referral Request Form
Added/updated: 5 June 2008 - Request Form B3 (PDF, 86 KB)
Syphilis/Chancroid referral Request Form
Added/updated: 5 June 2008