CHUM II study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transmission of HCV amongst HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected UK men who have sex with men (CHUM) II
IRAS ID
243807
Contact name
Mark Nelson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Increasing rates of sexually-transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been identified in many HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in industrialised countries. Phylogenetic studies have identified transmission clusters in which men with genetically related strains of HCV are linked. Social network analyses involving men with recently-acquired HCV have demonstrated links between individuals sourcing sexual partners from the same virtual or sex on premises venues in Australia. \nMost reports have demonstrated that the epidemic of acute HCV is confined to HIV-positive MSM; however, one recent cohort in central London has identified an outbreak of sexually-transmitted HCV in HIV-negative MSM. This study aims to perform a phylogenetic analysis of recently-acquired HCV in HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM to identify if transmissions are occurring separately within these populations or if bridging is occurring from the HIV-positive into the HIV-negative MSM populations. This will subsequently inform public health initiatives directed at reducing a large scale outbreak of HCV in HIV-negative MSM as well as reducing new infections in the HIV-positive population.\n
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0208
Date of REC Opinion
6 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion