Latest News & Updates

  • June 2024 - HIV P24 Antigen Testing Update

    HIV P24 Antigen Testing Update

    Bio-Rad Laboratories has notified us of the discontinuation of following products in Australia from December 2023. Both products are no longer being supplied in Australia.

    · Bio-Rad Genscreen HIV-1 Ag EIA (ARTG: 220067).

    · Bio-Rad Genscreen HIV-1 Ag Confirmatory EIA (ARTG: 220068)

    NRL has used the products listed above as part of our current HIV testing algorithm for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.

    NRL will continue to provide HIV-1 Antigen testing using the Bio-Rad Genscreen HIV-1 Ag EIA until the existing stock expires on 15/07/2024 but unfortunately, we will not be able to perform HIV-1 p24 Antigen testing beyond this date.

    We kindly encourage Healthcare practitioners and referring laboratories currently sending samples to NRL for testing to transition to alternative options (such as qualitative HIV nucleic acid amplification testing) for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection prior to this date.

    We apologise for the inconvenience this situation may have caused. Please do not hesitate to contact NRL if you have any questions or concerns.

    September 2024 - Syphilis Confirmatory Testing update

    We wish to inform you that Fujirebio Inc. has made the business decision to discontinue selling the following product in Australia from 1 November 2023.

    • SERODIA TP-PA, 20X5T (10333330)

    NRL has historically used the above product as part of our Syphilis testing algorithm as a supplemental test to confirm the initial reactive results from the DiaSorin LIAISON Treponema Screen CLIA.

    While we sought a replacement syphilis confirmatory test, the NRL had managed to secure some Serodia TP-PA test kits from the final batch manufactured in October 2023 with an expiry of 3rd September 2024.  Unfortunately, with these test kits expiring, we will no-longer be able to perform this testing as part of our Syphilis testing algorithm as it is not available for purchase in Australia.

    Please note we continue to work towards identifying an appropriate alternative to replace this test, but we will be unable to provide this aspect of Syphilis confirmatory testing until we have undertaken the appropriate verification activities on an ARTG listed test kit. This work is underway, and we will advise our clients as soon as this has been finalised.

    We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and will provide any assistance if required.

    Thank you in advance for your understanding and support in this matter.

The importance of NRL Testing

The critical task of ensuring accurate patient diagnosis is often left to highly-specialised reference and confirmatory testing laboratories.

NRL is proud of its reputation as a screening and confirmatory laboratory for infectious disease testing, including services such as reference testing, screening of blood and tissue donors, and contract testing.

Utilising validated testing strategies, NRL Testing operates as a reference laboratory for HIV, HCV and HTLV specimens whose status cannot be resolved by routine screening or other diagnostic laboratories.

As a GMP-accredited laboratory, NRL performs TGA-licensed screening of blood aRelated Informationnd tissue donors for HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV and Syphilis. Where IVDs are not validated for alternative sample types, NRL offers TGA-licensed testing of cadaveric samples for use in certain serology and molecular IVDs.

Images from the NRL Testing team, about how they ensure accurate patient diagnosis

Our team offers

  • Sample Testing for Clinical Trials or Research Studies

    Are you in need of reliable sample testing for your clinical trials or research studies?

    Whether you’re conducting a large-scale clinical study or need specialised testing for research, our team is equipped to provide accurate, timely results that meet your specific needs.

    Our previous experience includes:

    • MaRVE Study: Evaluating the performance of the cobas HPV test on the cobas 6800 system for the Victorian Cytology Service.
    • Blood Donor Hepatitis B Core Prevalence Research: Conducted for Lifeblood QLD to assess prevalence rates.
    • Viral Transport Media (VTM) Stability Study: Investigating the stability of SARS-CoV-2 samples for Paragon Care (Immulab).
    • HTLV Longitudinal Study: A comprehensive study in collaboration with the Baker Institute.
    • iStatis Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Clinical Study: Conducted for BioLytical Laboratories to evaluate test efficacy.

     

    Interested? Get in touch with [email protected] now!

    Reference Testing

    NRL Testing serves as a reference point for HIV, HCV and HTLV samples whose status cannot be resolved. NRL has designed testing strategies that include selected tests not widely used by other laboratories.

    These testing strategies have been developed by collecting and testing large numbers of samples, carrying out follow-up studies on indeterminate samples, and assessing the most efficient means of combining tests to give the most satisfactory and accurate diagnoses.

    TGA licensed Donor Screening

    TGA-licensed screening for HIV, HTLV, HCV, HBV and Syphilis for specimens collected from both living and cadaver donors.

    NRL performs testing for blood-borne viruses for services and companies involved in cell and tissue banking for transplantation and cell therapies in Australia. Infection status of the blood product or tissue sample is confirmed via multiple assays (serology, NAAT) prior to release for transfusion, transplantation and cell and tissue banking.

    Contract Testing

    The NRL Testing team can also undertake contract testing in the form of projects, clinical trials and collaborations for epidemiological purposes and assessment of new IVDs.

    Batch Release Testing

    NRL provides Batch Release Testing Services for HIV and Syphilis rapid test kits for the Point-of-care testing (PoCT) sites.  When you receive a new kit batch and require it to be released, don’t hesitate to get in touch [email protected]

Important information

  • Turn Around Times (TAT)

    HIV and HTLV Confirmatory Testing

    • Turnaround time for urgent specimen is 3 days of specimen receipt.
    • Turnaround time for non-urgent specimen is 7 days of specimen receipt.

     

    Donor Screening for HIV/HCV/HBV/HTLV/TREP

    • Turnaround time for urgent specimens is 3 days of specimen receipt.
    • Turnaround time for non-urgent specimen is 7-10 days of specimen receipt depending on our contracts.
    Supervising Pathologist

    NRL has a Supervising Pathologist. Please contact NRL Testing via our email below if you require clinical advice.

Forms and Information

Request for Diagnostic Testing

NRL have 3 options for you to fill out the Request for Diagnostic Testing form:

  1. You can fill this form on your browser, save the file with your changes and email it to us via “[email protected]” and/or “[email protected]”
  2. You can download this form, print it and fill out manually and scan and send it back to us via “[email protected]” and/or “[email protected]”
  3. You can download this form, print, and fill out and send it back to us with the testing specimens that are being delivered.
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Specimen Collection & Transport Requirements
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