Principal investigator: Dr Andrew Horne

Institution: University of Edinburgh

Aim(s):
About one in 80 pregnancies is ectopic. Most implant in the Fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy can cause potentially life-threatening abdominal bleeding and damage to the Fallopian tube affecting future child-bearing. We do not fully understand what causes a pregnancy to implant outside the womb but chlamydial infection and smoking are major risk factors. This project aims to understand how Chlamydia, smoking and molecules produced in the Fallopian tube contribute to ectopic implantation. We hope to show in a laboratory model that the abnormal production of specific molecules causes the embryo to get trapped in the human Fallopian tube and show how chlamydial infection and exposure to cigarette smoke causes it to implant. To develop this model we need to collect samples of Fallopian tube and blood samples. We propose to approach women who are having their Fallopian tubes removed during routine surgery. Our aim is to collect 100 Fallopian tube and blood samples. Improved understanding of ectopic pregnancy could significantly reduce the risks of this condition.Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: 01.11.09

End date: 31.10.13

Reference web link: www.crh.ed.ac.uk/research/dr-andrew-horne/

Principal investigator: Katy Turner

Institution: Bristol University

Aim(s):
Gonorrhoea and chlamydia present a significant public health burden, and are the leading cause of preventable infertility. Mathematical models, economic analysis and parameter estimation will be used to address questions relating to sexual health service provision. For example this work has included the development of an economic model of the cost of chlamydia screening and partner notification and also an analysis of the rate of retesting in individuals within the NCSP in Cornwall.

Funding source: National Institute of Health Research

Start Date: Jan 2010

End date: Dec 2014

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Professor Judith Stephenson

Institution: University College London & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Aim(s):
A. To identify factors (bacterial genotype, bacterial load and host immune response) related to spontaneous clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis infection before treatment versus persistent infection
B. In women with persistent infection following treatment, to distinguish between treatment failure, reinfection by an untreated partner and new genital infection
C. To use this information to inform the development of more evidence based strategies for screening and control of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Funding source: UCLH/UCL Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre (CBRC) New Initiative Project Grant

Start Date: March 2010

End date: October 2011

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Dr R Reading

Institution: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust

Aim(s): Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Trichomonas infections in children aged under thirteen years presenting to secondary care: national surveillance study

Funding source: Wellchild

Start Date: -

End date: July 2012

Reference web link:Click here

Principal investigator: Dr R Carabeo

Institution: Imperial College London

Aim(s): To assemble an integrated molecular model of chlamydia interaction with its host cell at the very early stages of infection. Knowledge gained should contribute to the biology of both the bacterium and the host cell, and the development of new treatments that minimise the incidence of pathology and/or chronic/persistent infections.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: -

End date: September 2012

Reference web link:Click here

Principal investigator: Prof Charles Lacey

Institution: The Hull and York Medical School

Aim(s):

To increase understanding about Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the immune response in the female genital tract through measurements of local antibody levels, systemic antibody levels and chlamydial organism load at diagnosis and four month follow up.

To develop an immunological assay to allow for the detection of immunoglobulin production against C. trachomatis antigen polymorphic membrane protein D.

Funding source: York Hospital

Start Date: July 2009

Duration: 18 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof Tony Ades

Institution: University of Bristol

Aim(s): To obtain a consensus interpretation of the existing evidence, and internally consistent and externally validated estimates of the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its complications.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: June 2009

Duration: 18 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Dr Nicola Low

Institution: University of Bern, Switzerland

Aim(s):

Provide best available data about model parameters

Compare clinical effectiveness of different strategies in three individual based models

Determine incremental cost-effectiveness of different approaches compared with recommended practice

Determine health values states for female complications

Provide research recommendations for primary research

Funding source: Health Technology Assessment

Start Date: March 2009

Duration: 24 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof Jackie Cassell

Institution: Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Aim(s): Determine the relative effectiveness of 3 different approaches to partner notification in the primary care setting – patient notification, provider notification and contact notification.

Funding source: Health Technology Assessment

Start Date: February 2009

Duration: 36 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof Judith Stephenson

Institution: University College London

Aim(s): To identify factors (bacterial genotype, bacterial load and host immune response) related to spontaneous clearance of c. trachomatis infection before treatment versus persistent infection and, in women with persistent infection following treatment, to distinguish between treatment failure, reinfection by an untreated partner and new genital infection.

Funding source: Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre

Start Date: 2009

Duration: 12 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Aberdeen HTA Group, University of Aberdeen

Institution: University of Aberdeen

Aim(s): Assess the performance of the Chlamydia Rapid Test in detecting genital chlamydia and its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness compared with current practice in terms of the number of cases detected and treated, the proportion of partners identified and treated, as well as considering patients' own preferences for treatment.

Funding source: Health Technology Assessment

Start Date: December 2008

Duration: 26 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Jessica Sheringham

Institution: Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London

Aim(s):

Identify the most appropriate indicators of deprivation to use in young people.

Apply these indicators to the NCSP dataset to examine socioeconomic inequalities in chlamydia positivity and screening, to assess progress towards reducing inequalities.

Funding source: Medical Research Council Fellowship

Start Date: November 2008

Duration: 36 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Dr Claudia Estcourt

Institution: Barts & The London NHS Trust

Aim(s):

Develop an evidence based clinical algorithm for STI testing in asymptomatic men.

Model mathematically the epidemiological and economic impact of removing microscopy from routine STI testing in asymptomatic men.

Implement & evaluate Accelerated Partner Therapy (APT: new models of partner notification to rapidly contact and treat male sex partners of people with STIs) in primary care, empirically and with mathematical models.

Develop, pilot & evaluate a feasible, replicable intervention to deliver football trainer-led, STI screening targeting young men (SPORTSMART).

Funding source: National Institute for Health Research

Start Date: October 2008

Duration: 60 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Dr J Bailey

Institution: University College London

Aim(s): The Internet offers easy access to sexual health information, but information alone does not reduce risky behaviour. In contrast, tailored, interactive, skill-building computer programmes (interactive computer-based interventions, ICBI) seem better at changing sexual behaviour. We plan to develop an ICBI and comparator (same content, layout and feel as the ICBI but be non-tailored, minimally interactive and not skill-building) in Phase 1. In Phase 2, we will address two main questions in a pilot online trial: a) how to maximise retention at follow-up and b) whether Chlamydia urinalysis is feasible as a biological outcome measure.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: October 2008

Duration: 36 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Prof Jackie Cassell

Institution: University College London

Aim(s): To build a Decision Analytic Model (DAM) as a tool for the evidence based planning of cost-effective STI services for differing populations in the UK.

Funding source: Health Protection Agency

Start Date: April 2008

Duration: 24 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof Jackie Cassell / Sandra Johnson

Institution: Health Protection Agency South East

Aim(s): To develop a toolkit which will enable regions to advise strategic health authorities and primary care organisations about inequalities in the implementation of the NCSP and on further analyses that could inform the local planning and provision of services.

Funding source: N/A

Start Date: March 2008

End Date: December 2008

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof Cathy Ison

Institution: Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections

Aim(s): To systematically address the question of whether resistance to current therapies for C. trachomatis exists. Specifically:

Identification of patients with clinical evidence of persistent infection.

Molecular typing of isolates or specimens to confirm the possibility of persistence.

Susceptibility testing of isolates to determine levels of resistance.

Screening of isolates and/or specimens for known resistance mutations.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: December 2007

End Date: 30 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Prof Ian N Clarke

Institution: University of Southampton

Aim(s): To develop a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) typing scheme for genitotropic C.trachomatis. Ultimately, application of the new SNP typing will lead to improved understanding of key determinants in the spread of infection. This information will be used to build an accurate picture of the molecular epidemiology of chlamydial genital tract infection in the UK.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: September 2007

Duration: 30 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Dr Mayada Abu Affan

Institution: Grampian Health Board, Scotland

Aim(s): To determine the true prevalence of chlamydia through targeted opportunistic screening.

Funding source: NHS Grampian

Start Date: July 2007

Duration: 24 months

Reference web link: Click here

Principal investigator: Prof Ian N Clarke

Institution: University of Southampton

Aim(s): -

Funding source: Wellcome Trust

Start Date: -

Duration: -

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Prof David C W Mabey

Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Aim(s): -

Funding source: Wellcome Trust

Start Date: -

Duration: -

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Dr Cliodna McNulty

Institution: Health Protection Agency South West Primary Care Unit

Aim(s): To explore how healthcare staff who are participating in the national Department of Health Chlamydia Screening Programme have overcome the barriers to testing and screening for genital chlamydia in primary care. As the barriers may change over time we will explore the issues with staff from general practices participating in both the implementation and maintenance of chlamydia screening programmes.

Funding source: Health Protection Agency

Start Date: October 2005

Duration: 36 months

Reference web link: N/A

Principal investigator: Dr Pippa Oakeshott

Institution: St George's, University of London

Aim(s):

To find the prevalence and predictors of M.genitalium in 2500 young, multiethnic, sexually active female students recruited in the community.

To evaluate the natural history of untreated M.genitalium in women:

a) Development of symptoms or progression to clinical PID over 12 months

b) Persistence or spontaneous resolution of infection over 1-3 years

To assess the incidence of infection with M.genitalium in 1000 women without M.genitalium at baseline.

To examine the role of C.trachomatis and/or bacterial vaginosis at baseline in the development of M.genitalium associated symptoms or PID over 12 months.

Funding source: Medical Research Council

Start Date: July 2007

Duration: 18 months

Reference web link: Click here