皇冠体育app

About enteric virus unit (EVU)

皇冠体育app primary function of the EVU is to characterise non-polio enteroviruses, rotaviruses and noroviruses, to support national surveillance programmes and investigations of significant outbreaks.

EVU can perform detection assays for specific enteric viruses, but only when detection assays are not offered by NHS and regional UKHSA public health laboratories.

Characterisation assays are based on molecular genotyping by sequencing technologies.

Comprehensive sequence databases of characterised enterovirus, norovirus and rotavirus strains, including geographical and temporal distributions and the genetic diversity of co-circulating strains, has been established in collaboration with the bioinformatics team.

EVU collaborates with other UKHSA departments, NHS and academic institutions in the surveillance and study of enteric virus infections, associated outbreaks and the diseases they cause.

EVU works closely with the UK polio service which undertakes the isolation and characterisation of poliovirus strains.

EVU also collaborates with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the WHO on the laboratory aspects of the worldwide poliovirus eradication campaign.

Services available

Detection methods and virus characterisation using molecular methods are available for:

• astroviruses
• enteroviruses
• enteric adenoviruses
• noroviruses
• rotaviruses
• sapoviruses

EVU guidance and forms

• VRD manual
• Enteric virus and polio investigation referral form (E1)
• Gastroenteritis outbreak investigation request form (E6)
• Infant rotavirus immunisation surveillance laboratory request form

Contact EVU