UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory

Discontinuation of Artus CMV DNA assay - new Altona CMV DNA assay introduced: week beginning 07th October 2024

Test code: ACMV
Test code: MCMH for the congenital CMV screening programme (urines)

Reason for Notification
The current real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of CMV DNA is manufactured
by Artus: however this assay has now been discontinued. The NVRL will switch to an assay provided
by Altona Diagnostics.

NVRL has been notified, by the manufacturer, that the ISAGA Toxoplasma IgA and IgM assays used
to investigate Toxoplasma infection from patients less than 6 months of age are no longer available.
No suitable alternative is currently available for the Toxoplasma IgA and in line with the Toxoplasma
reference unit, UK we will cease offering routine Toxoplasma IgA investigation from today.

 Date of change: 9th September 2024

Test code: MGMR

UCD NVRL will be introducing an assay for Mycoplasma genitalium macrolide drug resistance.   

The new test code is provided above. This will be performed automatically on all M. gen positive specimens, and should not require users to request additional testing.

Fluoroquinolone drug resistance testing will be introduced shortly, but in the meantime, samples showing evidence of macrolide resistance will be referred to the laboratory in PHA Colindale.

Please find below the latest information regarding the assessment and testing pathways for MPXV Clade I and Clade II. This update supersedes all previous communications and can be accessed on the HPSC website. As noted, there is no need to contact the NVRL, either during working hours or after hours, before sending samples for mpox testing. Our user manual will be updated accordingly.

In September 2024, UCD NVRL is introducing the AccuDiag™ B. burgdorferi VIsE1/pepC10 IgG/IgM assay for the further investigation of serum samples reactive using our screening assay, the DiaSorin Liaison™ B. burgdorferi IgG.

The AccuDiag™ assay is used in the Lyme Reference Laboratory in the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory (RIPL) based in Porton Down, UK.

Date of change: 29^th August 2024

Test code: APAR

The current real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of Parvovirus DNA is manufactured by Artus, however this assay has now been discontinued. UCD NVRL will switch to an assay provided by Altona Diagnostics. The new test code is provided above.

The assay validation performed by UCD NVRL shows that the results are comparable between the two assays. Results will continue to be reported in IU/ml.