News

  • Customer Notification: HIV p24 Ag testing is temporarily unavailable at NVRL

    Nov
    12

    Date of change: Effective Immediately - 12/11/2024

    Test affected: HIV confirmatory testing

    Reason for Notification

    Regrettably NVRL has to inform its users that we are temporarily unable to perform HIV p24 Ag testing. This is due to the discontinuation of the BioMerieux Vidas p24Ag assay. 

    NVRL has identified an alternative assay which is currently undergoing verification. Customers will be notified as soon as possible when this is available via this website.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Unavoidable Delay in CMV IgG Avidity testing

    Nov
    07

    Date of notice: 08/11/2024

    Test code:  SCAV

    Test: CMV IgG Avidity

     Reason for Notification

    UCD NVRL has been informed by its supplier that CMV IgG Avidity test kits will not be available for a number of weeks.

    Samples that are awaiting this test will be stored appropriately and testing will be completed once kits are back in stock.

    UCD NVRL apologises sincerely for this delay which is entirely outside our control.

    Clinical Relevance (Please Note)

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Suspension of hMPV routine testing

    Oct
    18

    Date of change: w/b 7th October 2024

    Test: NxTAG Respiratory Screen

    Test code: LRSC

    Reason for Notification

    We are suspending routine testing for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), following notice from the assay manufacturer of a risk of false positive results being generated.  We do not currently know when or if this issue will be resolved by the manufacturer.

    Changes to Reporting of Results

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Change in NVRL phone service provider

    Oct
    17

     Date of Implementation: 17/10/2024 10.00

     Reason for Notification: Operation of the UCD clinical advice and results line reverting to UCD Telephone Services from Blueface (Comcast)

     Temporary NVRL numbers: Will be provided if required. 

    Please use current phone number - 01-7164401 

     Please call or email Geoff Gray (geoffrey.gray@ucd.ie) with any queries.

      NVRL reference: CN-24-30

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Discontinuation of Artus CMV DNA assay - new Altona CMV DNA assay introduced

    Oct
    04

    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.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: ISAGA Toxoplasma IgA and IgM assays are no longer available - replacement Toxoplasma IgM assay being identified.

    Sep
    19

    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.

    Posted By Rafael Horta read more

  • Customer Notification: Mycoplasma genitalium Resistance testing at UCD NVRL

    Aug
    30

     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.

     

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • CN-24-23: mpox update re Specimen Handling and Transportation

    Aug
    27

    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.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • CN-24-20: Introduction of a new Lyme’s disease/ Borellia burgdorferi IgG and IgM assay

    Aug
    22

     

    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.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • CN-24-22: Change of Parvovirus DNA Assay

    Aug
    22

    Date of change: 29th 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.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more