Bacterial and Fungal PCR
ABOUT OUR SERVICE
Our molecular bacteriology service aids in the diagnosis of
bacterial infection by detecting bacterial DNA present in
biological specimens or isolates.
Details of the assays we offer, suitable specimen types and
expected turn-around times can be found in the
Microbiology User
Guide.
Samples must be accompanied by a completed Microbiology PCR Request
Form.
Results are accessed via the
Outreach Results
Portal.
OUR TESTING STRATEGY
Broad range bacterial PCR is a powerful technique that can
detect an extensive range of bacterial pathogens, however it has
reduced sensitivity compared to targeted real-time PCR. For this
reason our testing
strategy combines broad-range and targeted
bacterial PCRs to maximise the diagnosis of infection. Specimens
for which broad-range bacterial PCR is requested will additionally
be tested by relevant targeted PCR depending on specimen type
and/or clinical history, including where available real-time PCR
targeting the most common causative organisms. This combined
approach benefits from the broad range nature of 16S rRNA gene PCR
and the sensitivity of targeted real-time PCR; using them together
increases the diagnostic yield for bacterial infections.
CONTACT US
For queries please contact:
Technical queries (specimen and test selection, results
interpretation):
Clinical Scientists: laura.atkinson@gosh.nhs.uk
(Ext. 0437)
julianne.brown@gosh.nhs.uk
(Ext. 5929)
Clinical queries (clinical advice, results
interpretation):
Microbiology consultants: Surjo.De@gosh.nhs.uk (Ext.
8661)
james.hatcher@gosh.nhs.uk
(Ext. 4583)
General queries (specimen receipt, availability of results):
Microbiology lab: 020 7829 8661 (ext 8661)