Dear Colleagues, We write to notify you of the suspension of Campylobacter serology with immediate effect. This is because the Reference laboratory in Preston has withdrawn the test. We are seeking alternative accredited tests. We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Continue reading...https://www.exeterlaboratory.com/wp-content/uploads/Microbiology-User-Survey-Report-2021.pdf
Continue reading...Friday 3rd December saw the official handover of the new Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory from the contractors to the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. This CL3 facility will future proof the ability of the Trust to safely process specimens from “High Risk” patients and propagate potential and confirmed “High Risk” organisms. The […]
Continue reading...As of 22nd March, we will be detecting antibodies to both the Nucleocapsid antigen (anti-N) and the Spike antigen (anti-S) of SARS-CoV-2 for all requests, and we will report each antibody separately. This test is run in the Blood Sciences laboratory on serum samples. SARS-CoV-2 antibody takes up to 4 weeks to develop post-COVID-19 infection […]
Continue reading...COVID-19 testing is performed using PCR technology (i.e. to detect the viral RNA). Test sensitivity is dictated by the amount of virus on the swab and is therefore influenced by (1) the timing of the test in relation to the symptoms and (ii) the quality of the sample (operator-dependent). A test should be interpreted in […]
Continue reading...It is a pleasure to be able to finally advise you that the long awaited implementation of a GP Order Communications System (GP OCS) is now under way. The aim of the project is to offer an electronic Pathology test ordering system for GP Practices sending samples to the RD&E, with this project both orders […]
Continue reading...We are delighted to inform our users that we have now taken delivery of and verified a random access Nucleic-Acid-Amplification-Test platform, called EliTech. As of 4th February 2019, we will be performing NAATs on CSF for the following targets: HSV1 and 2 VZV Enterovirus Parechovirus This will replace the current referred service in Bristol and […]
Continue reading...Microbiology are pleased to announce the arrival of a new molecular machine – the COBAS 6800. This all-in-one automation is used for testing samples for chlamydia, GC, Hep C viral loads, HIV viral loads and Hep B viral loads
Continue reading...As of Tuesday 21st June 2016, we have moved some Virology Serology Testing (HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis B core antibody, Hepatitis C antibody, Syphilis antibody, HTLV and Hepatitis B surface antibody) onto the Cobas e-601 random access analyser. The only difference you should notice is the wording on some of these reports – please see […]
Continue reading...We have recently reviewed the most common e-mail queries sent to Microbiology and are in the process of producing some FAQ pages to help which will be posted here. Currently, the following FAQs are to be added: Recurrent UTIs Lyme Disease Hepatitis serology Impetigo Sputum (various questions) Chlamydia serology PID Wound swabs Clinical details Non-albicans […]
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