MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY IN HOUSE TURNAROUND TIMES
Shaded items have changed since last revision
Test: Non-Blood
Ascitic fluid
Broncho-alveolar lavage
Chlamydia (eyes)
Chlamydia NAAT (urine)
CSF cryptococcal antigen
CSF M, C & S
Ear swab
Eye swab
Faeces – C&S, C.difficile toxin, OCP
(Parasites)
Faeces - C.difficile toxin only
Fluids
High Vaginal swab
Helicobacter pylori antigen
Legionella & Pneumococcal Antigen (Urine)
MRSA screen (nose, throat, groin)
Mycology (skin scrapes, nail clippings, hair
samples))
Nasopharyngeal aspirate (RSV)
Peritoneal fluid
Pernasal swab (Whooping cough)
Fluids
Semen (C&S)
Sputum culture (C&S)
Sputum for Acid fast bacilli (AFBs)
Early morning specimens preferred.
Throat swab
Tips – CVC, ETT etc
Urine early morning urine for AFBs
(Send on 3 consecutive days)
Urine midstream / catheter (C&S)
Wound swab
Q Pulse record; Pathology 2473
Revision: 6
Approved by: R. Davis
Turnaround Time (from time received in the
laboratory to reporting)
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 7 days
Up to 7 days
Up to 2 days
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 5 days
Up to 3 days
Up to 5 days for full result
24 hours
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 4 days
Up to 2 weeks
Up to 2 working days (Tested Mon-Fri only)
Up to 3 days
Up to 5 weeks
Up to 2 days (not tested on call)
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 8 days
Up to 7 days for full result
Up to 5 days
Up to 5 days
Up to 2 days for microscopy, 8 weeks for
initial culture results.
Up to 3 days
Up to 5 days
Up to 8 weeks for initial culture results
Up to 3 days
Up to 5 days
Page 1 of 5
Last updated March 2017
MICROBIOLOGY
Test performed: Blood
Turnaround Time (from time received in the
laboratory to reporting)
Shaded items have changed since last revision
7 days
Antenatal screen (Rubella, HIV,
Hepatitis B, Syphilis)
Antibiotic assays
Anti-streptolysin O titre (ASOT)
Aspergillus precipitans
Avian precipitans
Blood cultures
CMV IgG antibody
CMV IgM antibody
Cryptococcal antigen
HIV antibody (initial screen)
Hepatitis A IgM antibody
Hepatitis A total antibody
Hepatitis B surface Antigen
Hepatitis B core antibody
Hepatitis B surface antibody
Hepatitis C antibody
Measles IgG antibody
Mumps IgG antibody
Mycoplasma antibody
Rubella IgG antibody
Rubella IgM antibody
Syphilis antibody (screen)
Toxoplasma IgG antibody
Varicella-Zoster Virus IgG
24 hours
7 days
14 days
14 days
5 days
7 days
7 days
2 days
3 days
7 days
7 days
7 days*
7 days
7 days
7 days
14 days
14 days
7 days
7 days
7 days
7 days
7 days
7 days*
*Urgent requests tested within 2 days
Q Pulse record; Pathology 2473
Revision: 6
Approved by: R. Davis
Page 2 of 5
Last updated March 2017
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY REFERRED OUT WORK AND TURNAROUND TIMES
Test
Referral Laboratory Address
Turnaround Time
(from time received in the
laboratory to reporting)
Shaded items have changed since last revision
16s PCR
Acanthamoeba Culture
Adenovirus PCR
Alphavirus serology
Amoebic Antibodies
Anaerobes / Actinomyces ID
Anthrax Serology
Antiviral Assay - Aciclovir
Antibiotic Assay - Amikacin
Antibiotic Assay - Benzylpenicillin
Antibiotic Assay - Ceftazidime
Antibiotic Assay - Chloramphenicol PRE /
Antibiotic Assay - Ciprofloxacin,
Antibiotic Assay - Colistin
Antibiotic Assay - Cycloserine
Antibiotic Assay - Daptomycin
Antibiotic Assay - Ertapenem
Antibiotic Assay - Flucloxacillin
Antifungal Assay - Flucytosine
Antiviral Assay - Gancyclovir
Antibiotic Assay - Gentamicin
Antibiotic Assay - Linezolid
Antibiotic Assay - Meropenem
Antibiotic Assay - Moxifloxacin
Antibiotic Assay - Rifampicin PRE / POST
Antibiotic Assay - Streptomycin PRE / POST
Antibiotic Assay - Teicoplanin
Antibiotic Assay - Tobramycin
Antibiotic Assay - Vancomycin
Anti Strept Serology
Aspergillus PCR
Bacillus anthracis
Bacterial Susceptibility
Bordetella pertussis Ab
Borellia Burgdorferi
B. pertussis Antibody
Brucella ID
Brucella Serology
Campylobacter Serology (Abs)
C. difficile Culture
C. difficile Ribotyping
Candida Antigen & Antibody
Chikungunya
Chlamydia Antibody
Chlamydia LGV PCR
CJD
CMV DNA PCR
Coccidioides Serology
Cockatiel Serology
Coronavirus PCR
Coxiella Burnetti (Q Fever) Serology
Cryptococcal serology
Q Pulse record; Pathology 2473
Revision: 6
Approved by: R. Davis
Gt Ormond Street Hospital, London
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Barts Healthcare, London
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Anaerobe Reference Laboratory, Cardiff
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Biochemistry Barts Healthcare, London
Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Antibiotic Resistance & Monitoring Laboratory, Colindale
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
See Lymes Disease
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Weybridge
Brucella Special Diagnostic Unit, Liverpool
Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
See Hanta virus
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
See LGV
National CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh
Barts Healthcare, London
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Barts Healthcare, London / Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Page 3 of 5
Last updated March 2017
Up to 3 weeks
Where a result is required more
urgently than indicated, always
discuss with the consultant
microbiologist who can liaise
with the relevant laboratory and
may be able to obtain a verbal
report more quickly than the
times above indicate
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY REFERRED OUT WORK AND TURNAROUND TIMES
Test
Referral Laboratory Address
Turnaround Time
(from time received in the
laboratory to reporting)
Shaded items have changed since last revision
CSF-CJD
CSF Viral PCR
CSF-Whipples PCR
Cysticerocosis serology
Dengue Fever
Diphtheria ID
E. Coli 0-157 Serology
EBV PCR (Quantitative)
EBV Serology IgG, IgM, EBNA
Enterococcus ID
Enterovirus IgM (Coxsackie)
Enterovirus PCR (Coxsackie)
Eye viral PCR screen
Faeces Virology PCR
Fasciola serology
Filaria serology
Flavivirus Serology
Fungal ID / Susceptibility
Galactomanann
Genital Ulcer PCR
See CJD
Barts Healthcare, London
See Whipples
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Refer to Flavivirus serology
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
West Park Hospital, Epsom
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
See Norovirus
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Bristol
Giardia Serology
Gp A Streptococcus Typing
H. Influenzae B Abs
Haemophilus / Pneumococcal / Tetanus AB
Haemophilus Culture ID / Typing
Haemophilus PCR
Hanta Virus
HAV (RL)
HBV PCR (Quant)
HBV genotypic resistance
HBV sequencing / genotyping
HBV Viral Load (Occ Health)
HCV Referral
HCV Genotyping
HCV PCR / Viral load (Quant)
HDV (DELTA) Referral
HDV RNA Viral load
Herpes IgG
Herpes Simplex PCR & VZV DNA PCR
HEV Serology
Histoplasma serology
HIV (Maternal Transmission)
HIV Referral
HIV Genotype Resistance
HIV PCR Viral load
HIV 1 Proviral DNA
HIV (STARHS)
HTLV SEROLOGY
Human Herpes 6 DNA PCR
Human Herpes 7 DNA PCR
Human Herpes 8 DNA PCR
Hydatid Serology
JCV PCR
JCV Serology
Legionella Antigen Referral
Leishmania serology
Leptospira (Weils) Serology
LGV (lympho granuloma venerium) PCR
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
HPA West Midlands, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Mycology Reference Laboratory, Bristol
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Leptospira Reference Unit, Hereford
Q Pulse record; Pathology 2473
Revision: 6
Approved by: R. Davis
Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Page 4 of 5
Last updated March 2017
Up to 3 weeks
Where a result is required more
urgently than indicated, always
discuss with the consultant
microbiologist who can liaise
with the relevant laboratory and
may be able to obtain a verbal
report more quickly than the
times above indicate
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY REFERRED OUT WORK AND TURNAROUND TIMES
Test
Referral Laboratory Address
Turnaround Time
(from time received in the
laboratory to reporting)
Shaded items have changed since last revision
Listeria ID & typing
Lyme / Borreliosis disease
Measles IgG & IgM
Measles IgM
Measles PCR
MecA PCR
Meningococcal PCR
Meningococcal Ref
Microsporidial PCR
MRSA Typing
Mumps IgG & IgM
Mumps IgM
Mumps PCR
Mycobacterium ID
Mycobacteria in Blood
Mycoplasma / Ureaplasma
Neisseria gonorrhoea
Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens, Colindale
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester
Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
National Myobacterium Reference Laboratory, London
National Myobacterium Reference Laboratory, London
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Nocardia ID
Norovirus PCR
Pan Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) Staph
Parasitology
Parovirus IgG
Parovirus IgG & IgM
Parovirus IgM
Parvovirus (QUAL) PCR
Parvovirus (QUANT) PCR
Pertussis Antibody
Phlebovirus serology
Pneumococcal Antibody
Pneumococcal PCR
Pneumococcus Typing
Polio Antibodies
Q Fever
Quantiferon
Respiratory PCR Screen
Rickettsia
Rubella IGM (RL)
Salmonella ID / Typing
Schistosomal Antibodies
Shigella ID
Staph aureus
Streptococcal ID (Not Enterococcus spp)
Streptococcal typing
Starhs (HIV)
Swine Flu antibodies (GBS)
Syphilis Referral
Dept for Bioanalysis & Horizon Technologies, Colindale
Barts Healthcare, London
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Meningococcal Reference Unit, Manchester
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Refer to Coxiella Burnetti
Homerton Hospital, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire
Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens, Colindale
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens, Colindale
Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection, Colindale
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Respiratory & Systemic Infection Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale
TB PCR
TB Quantiferon
Toxocara Serology
Toxoplasma (Ref lab)
Treponemal (Syphilis) referral
National Myobacterium Reference Laboratory, London
Homerton Hospital, London
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Toxoplasma Reference Laboratory, Swansea
Trichinella serology IFAT
Trypanosoma serology (Ab detection)
VZV IgG & IgM (Ref Lab)
Whipples PCR
Zika
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London
Barts Healthcare, London
Gt Ormond Street Hospital, London
Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory Porton Down
Q Pulse record; Pathology 2473
Revision: 6
Approved by: R. Davis
Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Colindale
Page 5 of 5
Last updated March 2017
Up to 3 weeks
Where a result is required more
urgently than indicated, always
discuss with the consultant
microbiologist who can liaise
with the relevant laboratory and
may be able to obtain a verbal
report more quickly than the
times above indicate