Coinfection with EBV or CMV in perinatally-acquired HIV (CHECKPOINT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevalence of Epstein Barr virus and cytomegalovirus and associated immune-activation and inflammation in adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV.
IRAS ID
304547
Contact name
Helen Payne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) compromises the ability to fight infection, however HIV can be controlled by antiretroviral therapy (ART). Even so, people living with HIV continue to have inflamed immune systems and are vulnerable to other infections. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are common viral infections that usually cause mild illness, although can cause serious disease in people with impaired immune-systems, and for some, can increase the risk for specific cancers and heart disease. Adolescents and young adults who acquired HIV from birth may have also acquired EBV or CMV during early childhood, a time when their developing immune systems were immature, particularly so if they had not yet started ART. The frequency and impact of long-term infections with EBV and CMV in this vulnerable population is not known, however we do know that there is a 15-fold increased risk of cancer and heart diseases compared to their peers; and studies in adults suggest that co-infection with EBV or CMV can increase inflammation of the immune system and subsequently the risk for cancers and heart disease. This study aims to determine how common EBV and CMV infection and associated immune-system inflammation is in a group of approximately 150 individuals aged 15-37 years from the UK’s largest clinic for individuals who acquired HIV from birth. Blood tests will also measure markers associated with developing cancer, heart and lung diseases. We will also perform health questionnaires, simple breathing test and saliva swabs for CMV and EBV and observe clinical outcome over a 10 year period. This information will help inform doctors whether new treatment approaches are needed to treat infection with EBV or CMV in these people.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0218
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion