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, 34 KB)
  Added/updated: 20 August 2010
  
• 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
  
• GC NAATs Policy (PDF, 24 KB)
  Added/updated: 5 March 2010
  
• Guidance for GC testing in England and Wales (PDF, 284 KB)
  Added/updated: 5 March 2010
  
• 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: 31 August 2010
  
• 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: 16 March 2010
  
• Susceptibility testing of N. gonorrhoeae
  Added/updated: 29 June 2009
  
• Update on Bacterial STIs flyer 16th July 2010 (PDF, 251 KB)
  Update on Bacterial STIs flyer 16th July 2010 - finalised programme
  Added/updated: 29 June 2010
  
• Treponema pallidum Reference Work
  Added/updated: 20 March 2009
  
• STBRL User Manual Vs 2 (PDF, 146 KB)
  STBRL User Manuel vs 2
  Added/updated: 15 April 2010
  
• B2 Neisseria isolate referral form (PDF, 298 KB)
  Neisseria isolate referral form, December 2010
  Added/updated: 17 December 2010
  
• B3 Syphilis/Chancroid referral rorm (PDF, 308 KB)
  Syphilis/Chancroid referral form, December 2010
  Added/updated: 17 December 2010
  
• B5 Chlamydia Culture Service form (PDF, 81 KB)
  Added/updated: 10 January 2011
  
• B6 Gonorrhoea molecular confirmation form (PDF, 310 KB)
  Gonorrhoea molecular confirmation form, December 2010
  Added/updated: 12 January 2011