Guidance

GBRU: reference and diagnostic services

GBRU is the national reference laboratory for gastrointestinal pathogens and provides specialist testing of clinical, food and environmental samples.

Gastrointestinal bacteria reference unit (GBRU) is part of UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) bacteria reference department (BRD).

GBRU services

GBRU provides national reference facilities for many gastrointestinal associated bacteria, including:

  • Bacillus
  • Clostridium botulinum
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Clostridium tetani
  • Listeria
  • Campylobacter
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Escherichia coli
  • Shigella
  • Vibrio
  • Yersinia
  • Aeromonas
  • Plesiomonas
  • Salmonella

Research and training

GBRU undertakes research into the genetic diversity of pathogens and the development of improved detection and characterisation techniques for food, water and environmentally-borne diseases.

GBRU is also able to offer expert advice, education and training on public health aspects of food microbiology and safety.

For more information on GBRU services and contact details refer to the BRD user manual.

Guidance and forms

BRD manual

Gastrointestinal bacteria culture request form: L4

Gastrointestinal bacteria clinical request form: L5

Gastrointestinal bacteria food and environmental sample form: L7

Gastrointestinal pathogens: specimen acceptance criteria

Gastrointestinal pathogens: interpreting PCR assays guidance

Implementing pathogen genomics: a case study

Contact

GBRU

UK Health Security Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ

Email gbru@ukhsa.gov.uk

To email individuals use: firstname.surname@ukhsa.gov.uk

Telephone 020 8327 7887

DX address UKHSA Colindale Bacteriology, DX 6530002

Updates to this page

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 29 May 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated list of GBRU services.

  2. Changed service update to reflect that all routine services have been resumed.

  3. Removed 'Reference laboratory services during coronavirus pandemic' section.

  4. Added notification of service delivery changes made to PHE reference and specialist laboratories to provide critical support to the COVID-19 incident.

  5. Added guidance about GBRU reference and diagnostic services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  6. Added 'Implementing pathogen genomics: a case study'.

  7. First published.

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