Cryptosporidium Reference Unit
Public Health Wales Microbiology
Singleton Hospital
Sgeti
Swansea
SA2 8QA
Public Health Wales Microbiology
DX 6070300
Swansea 90 SA
Tel: 01792 285341 (for results, consultation and advice during office hours)
Tel (out of hours): 01792 205666 (ask for on-call consultant microbiologist)
Fax: 01792 202320
Email: Swansea.crypto@wales.nhs.uk
Laboratory hours: 0845-1700 (Monday to Friday)
Supported by a Research Scientist and a Biomedical Support Worker
Investigation
|
Samples required | Tests performed |
Turnaround time (depends on complexity and current workload) |
Confirmation |
Stool DNA (min 20µl) - by prior arrangement |
Microscopy PCR |
2 working days |
Specialist testing of immunocompromised patients at high risk from Cryptosporidium |
Stool (minimum 2 scoops) Other specimen types as indicated |
Microscopy (including immunofluorescence) PCR-based tests |
2 working days
PCR offered weekly |
Typing of Cryptosporidium isolates (species/genotype) for epidemiological purposes and for the investigation of clusters/outbreaks
Further characterisation is at the discretion of the Unit Head or following consultation |
Cryptosporidium-positive stools (minimum 2 scoops, ideally without preservative but if formalin has been added, this should be noted on the form)
DNA (min 20µl) - by prior arrangement
|
PCR-based tests |
5-10 working days (maybe reduced during outbreak investigations) |
Typing from Cryptosporidium-positive water and environmental slides |
Please see our water and environmental services webpage for details |
“The following local test arose from a service improvement project and is currently outside of our accredited scope, awaiting assessment by UKAS:
Multilocus genotyping of Cryptosporidium parvum by MLVA at the discretion of the Unit Head or following consultation.
Ongoing assurance of quality in the meantime is maintained by internal and external quality assurance, quality control and training.”
Use the Cryptosporidium Reference Unit form above.
Stool testing service is free of charge to all NHS Trust, Public Health England and Public Health Wales laboratories in England and Wales, to whom Cryptosporidium positive control stools for microscopy and enzyme immunoassays can be supplied on request,
Charges for investigations for other purposes are reviewed annually and can be supplied on request.