UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory

UCD NVRL has been informed of a significant delay to the delivery of Euroimmun IIFT products. This will impact on NVRL service provision for Flavivirus screening.  UCD NVRL has engaged with the supplier and distributor in connection with these delays.

Until further notice samples received for Flavivirus investigations will be screened using our alternative ELISA based assays or, if necessary following clinical review, will be referred to the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (UKHSA Porton) for analysis.

Earlier this week, UCD NVRL advised users of a supply issue in relation to Aptima® Trichomonas vaginalis Assay.

UCD NVRL is delighted to inform users that these kits are now in stock and testing will resume. 

UCD NVRL sincerely apologises for any delays in issuing results, which was completely outside our control.

Any queries in relation to this notification should be addressed to Jonathan.dean@ucd.ie

NVRL reference: CN-23-23 UPDATE

UCD NVRL would like to inform all users of an impending Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) upgrade which is scheduled to take place in the week beginning 13^th November 2023.

While every attempt will be made to keep service disruption to a minimum during this upgrade, results for samples submitted to UCD NVRL on the 13^th – or subsequent days – may be delayed.  However, please be assured that we will strive to complete this process in as short a time as possible.

Customer Notification: Respiratory Diagnostics (including Influenza) at NVRL

Samples for ‘same-day’ Respiratory testing should arrive at the NVRL by 9.00am.

Testing is performed from Monday to Friday only.

There is no Out of Hours service for Respiratory samples.

Please note the preferred collection device for nose and throat swabs is the Copan Universal Transport Medium (UTM-RT).  Please refer to https://nvrl.ucd.ie/swabs.

The NVRL is pleased to notify users that following a successful verification Liaison™ Measles IgM and Liaison™ Mumps IgM assays are to be introduced as screening assays for blood samples from Monday 4^th September 2023.

The current Microimmune™ assays for these infection markers will no longer be in use.

The wording on NVRL reports after this date will reflect this change.

Any queries in relation to this notification should be addressed to the Clinical Team on 01-7164401.

CN-23-18

NVRL has been notified that the Serodia TPPA Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination assay is no longer available.

NVRL is delighted to inform its users that an alternative assay has been identified, the NewBio TPHA Treponema pallidum Haemagglutination assay, and following a
successful verification is to be introduced as of Monday 28th August 2023.

The NVRL User Manual will be updated in due course to reflect this change.