Viruses in healthy and immunocompromised individuals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Shedding of viruses associated with skin disease in health and immunocompromise
IRAS ID
148270
Contact name
Jane Sterling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & the University of Cambridge
Research summary
It is recognised that a number of viral pathogens occur frequently, but are not clinically apparent, at population level. Viruses such as human papilloma virus (HPV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) are examples that are also associated with cancer, and occur at increased frequency in immunosuppressed individuals. Several new polyomaviruses have been discovered recently, but their disease association is not clear. Our aim is to identify the sites of infection of four cutaneous polyomaviruses (MCPyV, TSV, HPyV-6 and HPyV-7), and to determine levels of viral shedding in immunocompetence and immunosuppression with quantitative PCR of skin swabs, saliva & urine.
In addition to a role in tumour development, a viral trigger has long been postulated for a number of inflammatory skin conditions. Recent evidence suggests that variable, asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex viruses is common, and CD8+ T-cells in the skin are subsequently activated. It is not known whether levels of shedding vary according to immune status or presence of inflammatory skin disease, and this hypothesis will be tested through quantitative PCR of HSV and VZV in saliva.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/0183
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion