News

  • 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

  • CN-24-20: Update to Access Route to UCD NVRL - August 2024

    Aug
    16

    Ongoing building works at UCD Belfield has necessitated a new Access Route to UCD NVRL for deliveries and sample drop. 

    Please refer to the aerial picture and follow the red route.

    Update to Access Route to UCD NVRL

    If you have any queries, please call 01-7164401 and ask for the Facilities Team

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • CN-24-19: CMV serological investigation of paediatric samples at UCD NVRL

    Aug
    15

    From 1st September 2024, UCD NVRL will cease to investigate Dried Blood Spots (DBS)/Guthrie card samples for anti-CMV IgM. 

     In line with UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations*, DBS samples will continue to be investigated for the presence of CMV DNA by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT).

     Please note that the specimen of choice for the investigation of congenital CMV infection in a patient less than 3 weeks old is a URINE sample, for the presence of CMV DNA by NAAT.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Change of assay for the detection and quantification of EBV DNA

    Jul
    19

    Date of change: 29th July 2024

    Test code: AEBV

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

    The Altona assay reports in International Units per ml (IU/ml) compared to copies/ml in the Artus assay. Reporting in IU/ml aids standardisation of reporting between different assays and laboratories.

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more

  • Customer Notification: Fax machine is no longer in use at UCD NVRL

    Jul
    05

    UCD NVRL wishes to inform its users that from the week beginning 8th July 2024, there is no longer the option to contact UCD NVRL by FAX.

    Contact options can be found at https://nvrl.ucd.ie/contactus

     

     

    or call 01-7164401

     

    Posted By Helen.Dawkins read more