Test A-Z

Tests available
Test	Target turnaround	Validated sample types
Client sample postage: returns and forwarding to PHE	Next day	Any^ψ
16S rRNA bacterial gene detection	3 days	Any (inc. fixed tissue) preferably from normally sterile sites
16S rRNA bacterial gene sequencing	3 days	PCR product (see detection above) or bacterial culture
18S rRNA fungal gene detection	3 days	Any (inc. fixed tissue) preferably from normally sterile sites
18S rRNA fungal gene sequencing	3 days	PCR product (see detection above) or fungal culture
Acanthamoeba DNA	2 days	For eyes - Corneal scrape, swab or contact lens, contact lens solution Meningitis - CSF
Adenovirus DNA	Next day	Vitreous fluid, eye fluid, serum, skin swab, blood plasma, urine, bronchial washings, NPA, swab (Nose, throat, eye), CSF, pericaridal fluid, bone marrow.
Adenovirus DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood CSF and plasma
Adenovirus typing	3 days	PCR product generated in-house from the sample types detailed for Adenovirus DNA
Alpha-1 antitrypsin genotyping	5 days	EDTA/citrated whole blood
Aspergillus genus DNA	3 days	EDTA/citrated whole blood/ lower respiratory sample ((BAL, bronchial washings, sputum)
Bocavirus	Next day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc), BAL and NPA preferred
Bordetella genus DNA	Next day	Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc), BAL and NPA preferred
Bordetella pertussis DNA	Next day	Nasopharygeal swabs and NPA preferred
Borrelia burgdorferi antibody (externally referred)	14 days	Serum
Borrelia genus	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, skin biopsy
Brucella antibody (externally referred)	14 days	Serum
Brucella genus DNA	3 days	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, tissue
Burkholderia cepacia complex	3 days	Sputum, culture
Burkholderia cepacia complex typing	5 days	Sputum, culture
Candida albicans DNA	2 days	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, eye fluid
Cervical cytology (externally referred)	10 days	‘Thin prep’ endocervical cellular specimens.
Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA	Next day	Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc), BAL and NPA preferred
Chlamydia psittaci DNA	2 days	Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc), BAL and NPA preferred
Chlamydia trachomatis DNA If sending for confirmation in accordance with BASHH guidelines, please telephone the laboratory for further information.	3 days	Eye swab, throat swab For genitourinary: Female: Endocervical, vaginal or rectal swab, ‘Thin prep’ endocervical cellular specimens. Male: Urethral swab, first pass urine, rectal swab
Clostridrium difficile	3 days	Stool
Coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63 or OC43	Next day	Any upper / lower respiratory sample
Coxiella burnetii	Next day	EDTA whole blood. We do not accept cultures.
Cryptococcus neoformans DNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA whole blood
Cytomegalovirus DNA	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, serum/EDTA plasma, eye fluid, tissue, biopsy or respiratory specimen - BAL preferred. Pregnancy – EDTA whole blood, amniotic fluid, cervical swab, serum/plasma
Cytomegalovirus DNA quantitation	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, serum/EDTA plasma, eye fluid
Cytomegalovirus ganciclovir resistance	5 days	As for CMV DNA
Enterovirus RNA	Next day	CSF, swab, stool, tissue, serum, plasma, EDTA/citrated whole blood - may be useful in suspected meningitis cases
Enterovirus typing	3 days	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, stool, respiratory samples, tissue, serum, plasma
Epstein Barr Virus DNA	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, urine, serum, plasma, biopsy,
Epstein Barr Virus DNA quantitation	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, urine, serum, plasma
Escherichia coli DNA	2 days	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood
Factor V Mutation + Prothrombin	5 days	EDTA / citrated whole blood
Forensic DNA Profiling – tissue extraction	10 days	Muscle
Forensic DNA Profiling - extraction from bone or teeth	15 days	Bone/teeth
Forensic DNA Profiling	10 days	Cheek swab, EDTA/citrated whole blood, tissue, serum, fixed tissue (least preferred sample), personal items (Hairbrush, comb, razor)
Group A Streptococcus (S.pyogenes) DNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, tissue
Group B Streptococcus (S. agalactiae) DNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, tissue
Haemochromatosis H63D C282Y	5 days	EDTA / citrated whole blood
Haemophilus ducreyi DNA	Next day	Swab
Haemophilus influenzae/parainfluenzae DNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood.
HBV Core/PreCore Mutations	5 days	Serum/plasma
Hepatitis B core antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or Na-heparin*, K-3 EDTA, sodium citrate plasma
Hepatitis B e antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or Na-heparin*, K-3 EDTA, sodium citrate plasma
Hepatitis B e antigen	3 days	Serum preferred or Na-heparin*, K-3 EDTA, sodium citrate plasma
Hepatitis B drug resistance mutation screen	5 days	Serum/plasma
Hepatitis B surface antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or K2/K3EDTA plasma **
Hepatitis B surface antigen	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, Na-citrate, K2/K3- EDTA, CPDA, CPD, CP2D, ACD, citrate plasma.
Hepatitis B surface antigen quantitation	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin, Na-heparin, K2-EDTA, citrate plasma
Hepatitis B virus DNA (<10IU/mL)	Next day	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis B virus DNA quantitation (<10IU/mL)	Next day	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis B genotyping	3 days	Serum/plasma
Hepatitis C antibody (EIA)	3 days	serum preferred or Li-heparin*, K2/K3-EDTA, Na-heparin, Na-citrate, CPDA, CPD, CP2D, and ACD plasma.
Hepatitis C antibody (RIBA)	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, citrate or EDTA plasma
Hepatitis C NS3 Q80K polymorphism	3 days	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis C NS5A resistance testing	4 days	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis C genotyping	3 days	Serum/plasma
Hepatitis C virus RNA (<18IU/ml)	Next day	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis C virus RNA quantitation (<18IU/ml)	Next day	At least 0.3ml serum/plasma
Hepatitis D virus RNA	3 days	Serum/plasma. This assay should always be reviewed in conjunction with HBV investigations.
Hepatitis D virus RNA quantitation	3 days	Serum/plasma. This assay should always be reviewed in conjunction with HBV investigations.
Hepatitis E virus RNA	4 days	Serum/plasma, CSF, whole blood, stool
Hepatitis E virus RNA quantitation	4 days	Serum/plasma, CSF, whole blood
Herpes Simplex virus DNA	Next day	CSF, AC tap, EDTA/citrated whole blood, vesicle fluid, skin/eye/corneal vesicle/lesion swab, tissue Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc) Genitourinary - For female: Endocervical or vulval lesions sample area with a swab and place into viral transport media (VTM). Male: Penile lesions - Penile swab placed into VTM. Urine is not a recommended sample type for diagnosis of infection in male or females. Pregnancy – vulval/vaginal swab
Herpes Simplex virus types I & II typing	Next day	Performed routinely on positive HSV samples (EDTA whole blood, CSF, tissues, urines and swabs except for oral and eye samples.
HIV I & II antibody and p24 antigen (EIA)	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, EDTA, ACD, CPD, CP2D, CPDA and Na‑citrate plasma
HIV I & II antibody (LIA)	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, citrate or EDTA plasma
HIV I & II antibody (LIA) - saliva	3 days	Saliva
HIV-1 LTR, env, gag and pol genes	2 days	EDTA whole blood preferred or serum/plasma
HIV-1 RNA drug resistance	9 days	Serum/plasma. This test requires at least 500μL of sample. Use EDTA whole blood, separate the plasma within 24 hours of blood collection. Ship at ambient temperature for next day delivery. Please supply viral load if available.
HIV-1 RNA Integrase drug resistance	5 days	EDTA plasma. This test requires at least 500μL of sample. Use EDTA whole blood, separate the plasma within 24 hours of blood collection. Ship at ambient temperature for next day delivery. Please supply viral load if available.
HIV-1 RNA quantitation	3 days	EDTA Plasma, CSF. Please supply 2mL EDTA plasma. Use EDTA whole blood, separate the plasma within 24 hours of blood collection. Ship at ambient temperature for next day delivery.
HIV-2 LTR and pol DNA/RNA	2 days	EDTA whole blood preferred or serum/plasma/semen/cell lines
HTLV I & II antibody	2 days	Serum preferred or EDTA, citrate plasma
HTLV DNA or RNA	3 days	EDTA/citrated whole blood or CSF
Human Herpesvirus 6 DNA	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood (CSF in encephalitis), bone marrow biopsies, BAL, plasma*, serum*
Human Herpesvirus 6 DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood (CSF in encephalitis), bone marrow, plasma*, serum*
Human Herpesvirus 7 DNA	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, CSF, plasma*, serum*
Human Herpesvirus 8 DNA	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, plasma*, serum*
Human Herpesvirus 8 DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, plasma*, serum*
Human metapneumovirus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Human Papillomavirus DNA detection	5 days	Swab, tissue (including fixed). Please state site of swab / tissue type. For genital samples: Female: Endocervical swab sent in VTM or ‘thin prep’ endocervical cellular specimens. Male: Penile swab placed into VTM or fresh biopsy tissue.
Human Papillomavirus DNA typing	5 days	Any positive detected from samples detailed for HPV detection.
Human Papillomavirus DNA high risk typing (Genital samples only)	5 days	Female: Endocervical swab sent in VTM or ‘thin prep’ endocervical cellular specimens. Male: Penile swab placed into VTM.
IL28B gene (rs12979860)	4 days	EDTA / citrated whole blood
Influenza A virus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Influenza B virus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Leptospira genus DNA	2 days	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine
Lymphogranuloma venereum	4 days	Male - first catch urine, genital swab, rectal swab, throat swab, rectal biopsy/tissue, lymph node tissue/biopsy. Female - genital swab, throat swab, rectal swab, rectal biopsy/tissue, lymph node tissue/biopsy
Listeria monocytogenes DNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood - may be useful in suspected meningitis cases
Measles IgG antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or citrate plasma
Measles virus RNA	Same day	CSF, urine, saliva, mouth/throat swab, whole blood
Mumps IgG antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or citrate plasma
Mumps virus RNA	Same day	CSF, urine, saliva, mouth/throat swab
Mycobacterium avium complex\TB complex DNA	Next day	Sputum, tissue, fixed tissue, CSF, BAL
Mycobacterium genus DNA	4 days	Sputum, tissue, fixed tissue, CSF, BAL
Mycobacterium TB rifampicin resistance	3 days	Sputum, tissue, fixed tissue, CSF, BAL
Mycoplasma genitalium DNA	2 days	Urine/genital swab
Mycoplasma genus DNA	3 days	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, tissue culture
Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA	Next day	Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc), BAL and NPA preferred
Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA If sending for confirmation in accordance with BASHH guidelines, please telephone the laboratory for further information.	3 days	Eye swab For genitourinary: Female: Endocervical, vaginal or rectal swab, ‘Thin prep’ endocervical cellular specimens. Male: Urethral swab, first pass urine, rectal swab
Neisseria meningitidis DNA	Same day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood (may be useful in suspected meningitis cases)
Neisseria meningitidis DNA typing	2 days	Performed routinely on positive Neisseria meningitidis samples
Parainfluenza 1,2,3 and 4 virus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Parechovirus RNA	Next day	CSF, swab, stool, tissue, serum, plasma, EDTA/citrated whole blood - may be useful in suspected meningitis cases
Parvovirus B19 DNA	Same day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, amniotic fluid, serum/plasma, post-mortem samples (Foetal), CSF, bone marrow
Parvovirus B19 DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, amniotic fluid, serum/plasma, CSF
Paternity Testing	7 days	Cheek swab
Pneumocystis carinii (aka jiroveci) DNA	Next day	Sputum, BAL, NPA preferred.
Polyoma BK virus DNA	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, CSF
Polyoma BK virus DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, CSF
Polyoma JC virus DNA	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, CSF
Polyoma JC virus DNA quantitation	Next day	EDTA/citrated whole blood, urine, CSF
Propionibacteria/Actinomyces DNA	2 days	Eye sample, tissue, CSF
Respiratory Syncytial Virus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Respiratory Virus Screen See ʘ below	Next day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Rhinovirus RNA	Same day	Any upper / lower respiratory specimen
Rhinovirus typing	3 days	Any positive Rhinovirus respiratory specimen
Rubella IgG antibody	3 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, K-3 EDTA, sodium citrate plasma. Plasma treated with sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate should not be used
Rubella virus RNA	Same day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, throat swab, urine, amniotic fluid
Salmonella enterica	Next day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood – may be useful in suspected meningitis cases, tissue, abscess fluid.
Staphylococcus genus DNA	Next day	CSF, aqueous/vitreous humour, tissue
Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA	Same day	CSF, whole blood – may be useful in suspected meningitis cases. Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc). BAL and NPA preferred
Toxoplasma gondii DNA	Same day	CSF, EDTA/citrated whole blood, amniotic fluid, aqueous/vitreous humours, tissue
Toxoplasma IgG antibody	5 days	Serum preferred or Li-heparin*, K3-EDTA or citrate plasma
Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antibody (externally referred)	14 days	Serum
Treponema pallidum DNA	Next day	CSF, genital swab
Trichomonas vaginalis DNA	Next day	Genital swab
Tropheryma whippelii DNA	Next day	CSF and almost any cellular material including whole blood. PLEASE DO NOT SEND SERUM.
Ureaplasma urealyticum/parvum DNA	2 days	Urine, genital swab, respiratory (neonates)
Varicella Zoster virus DNA	Next day	CSF, AC tap, EDTA/citrated whole blood, corneal scrape, vesicle fluid, skin/eye/vesicle/lesion swab, tissue. Any respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, NPA, nasopharyngeal swab etc) Genitourinary - For female: Endocervical or vulval lesions sample area with a swab and place into viral transport media (VTM). Male: Penile lesions - Penile swab placed into VTM Pregnancy – vulval/vaginal swab
West Nile Fever virus RNA	Next day	CSF, EDTA whole blood

Notes

* - Li Heparin/Na heparin has inhibitory effects in PCR. Please provide an alternative sample if molecular detection of viral / bacterial targets or human genetics tests are additionally required.

** - For the Hepatitis B surface antibody assay, if plasma treated with lithium heparin, sodium citrate, sodium fluoride or potassium oxalate is used, values obtained are 25% lower compared with serum. Additionally, lithium heparin plasma tubes containing separating gel should not be used for this test.

*** - Serum and plasma may be tested but whole blood is preferred

ʘ- Respiratory panel comprising of Influenzae A and B, Coronavirus OC43, 229E, NL63 and HKU1, Respiratory syncytial virus A and B, Parainfluenza 1 – 4, Human metapneumovirus, Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Adenovirus, Human Bocavirus.

Ψ Please note; when Measles RNA, Rubella RNA, Neisseria meningitidis DNA or Bordetella pertussis DNA is detected within a specimen, the sample will be forwarded to Public Health England to comply with their requirements.