Skip to main content
Microbiology

This site is best viewed with a modern browser. You appear to be using an old version of Internet Explorer.

Molecular Testing

See here for Genital Culture / Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) molecular testing.

Investigations

Adenovirus PCR (Quantitative)

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: whole blood
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: weekly

HSV / VZV / Adenovirus / Chlamydia (vesicles, eyes)

(Adenovirus and Chlamydia not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: swab in universal transport medium (red or green top)
  • Volume assay: N/A
  • Frequency: weekly

On EPR: VZV / HSV PCR, vesicle swab or VZV / HSV / Adeno / Chlamydia PCR, non-genital swab (eyes)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: whole blood / urine
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: twice weekly

Urine for the diagnosis of congenital CMV only

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) viral load PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: whole blood
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: twice weekly

BK virus (BKV) viral load PCR

  • Specimen type: plasma / serum
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: at least twice per week

Hepatitis C (HCV) RNA viral load PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: plasma / serum
  • Volume assay: 10ml
  • Frequency: daily Monday to Friday

On EPR contained in Hepatitis B or C positive CareSet

Hepatitis B (HBV) DNA viral load PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: plasma / serum
  • Volume assay: 10ml
  • Frequency: daily Monday to Friday

On EPR contained in Hepatitis B or C positive CareSet

Hepatitis C genotyping

  • Specimen type: plasma / serum
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: referred

On EPR contained in Hepatitis B or C positive CareSet. Only performed on samples with an HCV viral load greater than 3.0 Log(10) IU/ml.

HIV viral load PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: plasma
  • Volume assay: 10ml
  • Frequency: daily Monday to Friday

On EPR contained in Specialist HIV CareSet

Parvovirus PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: whole blood
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: weekly

Please discuss with Microbiology medical staff.

Monekypox PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: swab in universal transport medium (red or green top)
  • Volume assay: N/A
  • Frequency: next available run Monday to Friday

Mycoplasma Genitalium

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: urine / genital swab in UTM
  • Volume assay: urine 8ml minimum
  • Frequency: daily Monday to Friday

Hepatitis E PCR

(Not UKAS accredited)

  • Specimen type: plasma / sear
  • Volume assay: 4ml
  • Frequency: weekly

Last reviewed:17 February 2023