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Brucellosis Reference Laboratory

VLA is the UK National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, an OIE Reference Centre and an FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis. We provide specialist brucellosis consultancy to:

• Defra

• National governments

• European Union

• Food & Agricultual Organisation

• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

What does this mean?

VLA ensures that standardised methodology is used within the European Union by distributing International Standard reference sera (and other reagents) for use in the diagnosis and control of brucellosis.

Cultural, serological and molecular ring trials for diagnostic methods, procedures and nomenclature are also organised to maintain standardisation and harmonisation between other National Reference Laboratories.

We also provide expert consultants to advise on control programmes and to provide training in a wide range of techniques for brucellosis including serological tests, biotyping, molecular detection and typing, and the safe handling of the organism.

VLA also maintains an extensive culture collection including reference isolates of all Brucella species and biovars and a large collection of field isolates obtained worldwide over many decades.