Institute: University of Oxford
Preparation to establish the Gonococcal Controlled Human Infection Model in the UK
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. Individuals commonly present with urethritis and cervicitis which can progress to ascending infection with pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, disproportionally affecting women in low- and middle-income countries. There are more than 80 million cases annually worldwide, and gonorrhoea is one of three most urgent global threats with regards to antimicrobial resistance. Development of a vaccine against gonococcus is therefore an urgent global public health priority. Better understanding of the human immune response to gonorrhoea could accelerate vaccine development.
A controlled human infection model (CHIM) for gonorrhoea in men has been established in North America for decades and to date has included more than 200 participants. In this model, men are infected with gonorrhoea via introduction of small volume inoculum into the urethra.
We would like to establish the gonococcal CHIM in the UK to study the immune response to gonococcal infection and test gonococcal vaccines. However, it is unclear if the model is acceptable to UK participants and whether recruitment could support such research. In addition, preparatory work is needed to ensure production of the inoculum used in the CHIM meets UK regulatory requirements.
We will assess the acceptability of the gonococcal CHIM to UK men by using an online survey and interviews. We will also develop and test a quality-assured process of preparing the gonococcal inoculum that meets UK requirements. These two important pieces of work will assess the feasibility of a programme of work using the gonococcal CHIM in the UK.
More about Dr Hodgson here.