Specimen requirements
The virology laboratory service receives samples between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Friday and between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. The laboratory can take telephone enquires between the hours of 08:00 and 17:30 Monday to Friday and from 09:00 to 15:00 Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Laboratory specimen deliveries must be received in Biological Substance Category B carriers, which conform to UN3373 regulations.
A SARS CoV-2 screening service is offered between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 on weekdays and 08:00 and 18:00 on weekends.
A Viral Serology ‘urgent’ service for essential pre-dialysis screening for Hepatitis B and C is available between the hours of 08.00am and 12.00pm (midday) on weekends and bank holidays, to the Renal Department.
The Biomedical Scientist (Virology) should be contacted via HRI switchboard.
Outside of these hours, or for other departments, the on call Infection Consultant can be contacted by the Consultant in charge of the case via HRI Switchboard.
All samples require the onset date of illness, symptoms and travel history where appropriate. Request forms and sample labels must contain all the requested information.
It is preferable, and much more successful, to take more than one type of specimen from the patient to establish a viral diagnosis. Throat swab, faeces and acute and convalescent paired samples of clotted blood for serology should be taken as a basic routine for general virological investigations, with additional samples as deemed necessary.
Time limits for additional examinations
Most serology blood samples are stored for approximately two years – in some instances it may be possible to carry out further serological tests within this time. Please contact the laboratory on 01482 623229 for advice.
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF)
If VHF is suspected please seek advice from the Infectious Disease doctor.
In such cases please DO NOT send any specimens to the laboratory without prior discussion with the Consultant Virologist.
Needle Stick Injuries
For needle stick injuries, Health Care Workers must contact the Occupational Health Department or, outside hours must contact the Accident and Emergency department. They must also fill in an accident form. A venous blood sample (gold topped blood tube only) should be sent promptly for storage, other advice will be provided by Occupational Health.
If there is concern regarding HIV, consult the PEP protocol produced by Occupational Health. For non-Health Care Workers assessment should be arranged by visiting the Accident and Emergency department.
The Occupational Health Department and the Consultant Virologist must be contacted following any accident involving potential Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV infected patients or their sample.
Imported Infection / Tropical Viral Screen Requests
Please see snap shot below of an example of the clinical information required for a Colindale request form for a Tropical Screen/Post Travel request:
Please note that completion of the relevant proforma, by the laboratory is essential and a referral request will be rejected by the referral lab if the “relevant information” is not provided by the requesting clinician.
Test Request Approval
The following requests should always be discussed with the Consultant Virologist before submitting the specimen:
- HIV Proviral DNA
- HIV Resistance Genotyping
Serological and Molecular Testing
Blood samples are required for:
- Viral serology, travel screen and bacterial serology
- Blood Borne Virus Quantitative PCR
- Quantitative CMV/EBV/BK PCR and
- Other Viral and Bacterial PCR
Other Molecular Testing
Various non-blood samples are required for:
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Molecular analysis for:
- Chlamydia DNA
- Chlamydia/GC/HSV/TV DNA (GUM)
- Viral PCR screens (to include DNA and RNA viruses associated with the GI tract, Skin (rash), Eye, Gynaecological and Central Nervous System (CNS) complications)
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA screening
- Mycoplasma genitalium DNA screen with Resistance detection (GUM)
- Urgent SARS CoV-2, RSV and Influenza A/B PCR screen