Network Directory

• Professor Goura Kudesia, Consultant Virologist and Honorary Professor Clinical Virology [email protected]
• Dr Mohammad Raza, Consultant Virologist and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer University of Sheffield, [email protected]
• Dr Alison Cope, Consultant Virologist and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer University of Sheffield, [email protected]
• Rob Eggington, Laboratory Manager (Microbiology & Virology) [email protected]
• Duncan Whittaker, Departmental Manager [email protected]
• Dr Laura Dexter, Clinical Lecturer [email protected]
• Dr Hanan AlKindi, Specialist Registrar [email protected] sth.nhs.uk
• Dr Helena Ellam, Specialist Registrar [email protected]
• Geraldine Ball, Serology Manager [email protected]
• Mark Bradley, Microbiology IT Manager [email protected]
• Gillian Helm, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]
• Leeanne Horner, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]
• Witchill Lo, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]
• Ann Van Hegan, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]
• Mehmet Yavu, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]
• Kelvin Blakey, BMS2 Section Leader [email protected]

Laboratory Sections:
Serology, Automated serology, Molecular, Chlamydias and Virus Isolation

Geographical Areas covered:

The laboratory offers comprehensive diagnostic services across the trust which includes Northern General Hospital, Royal Hallamshire Hospital and Western Park Hospital. We also provide complete
virology services to the Sheffield Childrens’ Hospital. In addition, the lab acts as a reference centre for the local district general hospitals in Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham and Doncaster. Medical virology cover is provided for Doncaster and Bassettlaw Hospitals. We are the regional stockholders
for VZIG & HBIG.

Assays performed Inhouse:
Serology: HIV 1&2 antibodies (Cenatur, Adaltis, Duo VIDAS Ultra), HAV IgM/Total Ab (Centaur), Complete HBV serology (HBsAg (Centaur & Diasorin), HBcTotal Ab, HBcIgM Ab, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBsAb), HCV Ab (Cenatur, BioRad, RIBA), VZV IgM, IgG (VIDAS & EIA), MMR IgMs & IgGs, CMV Total Ab, IgM, IgG, Avidity, EBV IgM, VCA IgG, EBNA IgG, HSV 1&2 IgG,HTLV 1&2 Ab, CFTs, Parvo IgM, IgG, Legionella Ab, Syphilis (TPPA, VDRL, IgM), Toxoplasma Latex, Toxoplasma IgM, IgG,
Mycoplasma GPAT, ASO titres, AntiDNAse Ab, Helicobacter IgG.
Molecular: CMV PCR (Roche Lightcycler), HSV PCR (Artus, ABI), VZV PCR (Artus, ABI), EBV PCR (Artus, ABI), Enterovirus PCR (Artus, Lightcycler), HBV PCR, HCV PCR (Roche Amplicor), HIV PCR (Roche Amplicor), Respiratory PCRs (Flu A/B, RSV A/B, Rhinovirus, HMPV A/B, PF 1-4, Coronavirus, Adenovirus), HCV genotyping, VIPER/SDA /RealTime PCR for Chlamydia, VIPER/SDA for Gonococcus.

Environmental:

Norovirus EIA, Rotavirus EIA (card test), Adenovirus EIA

An out of hours service is provided for needlestick injuries/body fluid exposures (source patient testing). This includes HIV antibodies, HBsAg and HCV antibodies. To arrange this testing please contact the On-call Microbiology BMS through Northern General Hospital Switchboard (0114 2434343) and ensure at least 5ml of blood is urgently sent to the NGH Haematology reception. Transplant donor and Antenatal
testings are offered by the National Blood Services.

• Dr Emanuela Pelosi, Consultant Virologist [email protected]
• DrGill Underhill, Consultant Virologist [email protected]
• Dr Peter Marsh, Clinical Scientist [email protected]
• Dr Steve Green, Clinical Scientist [email protected]
• Dr Simon Friar, Clinical Scientist [email protected]
• Susan Mason, Lead Biomedical Scientist/laboratory manager [email protected]
• Lynn Collins, Operational Manager (virology) [email protected]
• Miss. Emma Andrews, Senior Biomedical Scientist (Molecular) [email protected]
• Mr. Christopher Labdon, Senior Biomedical Scientist (Serology) [email protected]
• Allyson Lloyd, Senior Biomedical Scientist [email protected]
• William Rivenburg, Biomedical Scientist [email protected]

Molecular diagnosis:
In Southampton the molecular diagnostics laboratory uses real time PCR (ABI 7500, RotorgeneQ, Lightcycler 480, Lightcycler 2.0,) for the detection of viral and bacterial nucleic acids in clinical samples.
Tests are routinely performed for the detection of the following pathogens: HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV, Adenoviruses, Meningococci, Enteroviruses,C.trachomatis (Roche and Abbott platforms) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Abbott platform) as well as respiratory viruses (see below) and noroviruses.
Quantitative assays are available for HCV RNA, HBV DNA, HIV RNA (Abbott M2000) CMV DNA and EBV DNA (inhouse assay). HCV genotyping (Abbott M2000) is also available.
Norovirus RNA testing of stool samples is carried out for the Southeast region.
Routine respiratory PCR panel includes:
Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus, RSV subgroup A and B, Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, Human metapneumovirus and Adenovirus.
Influenza A can be subtyped (H1, H3, H5) and also oseltamivir resistance testing is available for H1N1pdm09.
Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR is also available
In Portsmouth, quantitative assays for Hepatitis C PCR and HIV viral load are performed using the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep and Taqman platforms. The Becton Dickinson Viper with magnetic
extraction uses a Strand Displacement Assay to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
The molecular section routinely performs diagnostic testing for HSV, VZV, EBV, CMV, Adenovirus, Enterovirus,Norovirus, Influenza A and B, and specific H1N1 on the Roche LightCycler 2.0.
In addition, blood samples from patients with, or at risk of thrombophilia are examined for Factor V Leiden and Factor II prothrombin using the Roche LightCycler 2.0.
Qiagen LipuiChip 200 is available for the following respiratory viruses (using Artus Resplex kit):

Influenza A and B, RSV A and B, Parainfluenza (4 types), Human metapneumoviruses A and B,
Coxsackieviruses/Echovirus, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Coronavirus and Bocavirus.
Serology:
Both laboratories offer an extensive range of screening and diagnostic serology tests.
R&D:
Clinical Scientists Dr. Peter Marsh and Dr. Steve Green have undertaken a number of collaborative projects with different clinical research groups and academic partners both at Southampton
University Hospitals Trust (SUHT) and at the University of Southampton; additionally they also work together with Kings College London and CEPR. In particular, Dr. Marsh has established an important collaborative relationship with Professor Ian Clarke of The University of Southampton, currently including an MRC funded project for the development of high resolution genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to detailed studies of sexual networks.
Dr Marsh and Dr Green are also involved in the supervision of BMS M.Sc. projects, of which there have been successful outcomes resulting in the development and validation of several molecular
diagnostic assays (see above).

Out of hours HIV testing service on site for pregnant women in labour.
Full out of hours organ donor and recipient screening service for the Wessex renal transplant unit.

• Peter Riley [email protected]

• Dr G Bignardi, Clinical Head of Department and Consultant Microbiologist with an interest in Virology. Based at Sunderland Royal Hospital [email protected]
• Dr R Ellis , Consultant Microbiologist based at South Tyneside District Hospital [email protected]
• Dr G Horne , Consultant Microbiologist based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead Tel:0191 4453695
• Keith Phipps, Departmental Manager [email protected]
• Susanne Stonehouse, Chief BMS [email protected]
• Janet Gray , Chief BMS [email protected]

Diagnostic Microbiology, virology and serology for the South of Tyne area