MRes Infectious & Tropical Diseases - Disease Control

Updated 2 November 2026

ID	Title	Overview
DC1	Understanding the effects of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infection on adverse pregnancy outcomes. (London)	In sub-Saharan Africa, genital Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species are prevalent during pregnancy, but their role in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes remains poorly understood. This project will make use of previously collected vaginal samples, presently stored in London, and linked clinical data from participants in the ASPIRE trial in Zambia. The study provides a unique opportunity to investigate the prevalence and patterns of persistence and clearance across pregnancy and whether their presence is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Molecular detection data will be integrated with detailed participant metadata to investigate associations with preterm birth, low birthweight and small-for-gestational-age at birth. Further analyses may explore co-infection with other reproductive tract infections, treatment effects and relationships with vaginal microbial composition.
DC2	Can combined treatments reduce hepatic inflammation in experimental schistosomiasis? (London)	Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) causes chronic inflammation and reproductive health complications, yet optimal treatment strategies remain unclear. The WINGS+ project investigates whether combining praziquantel (PZQ) with anti-inflammatory drugs improves treatment outcomes. As part of this research, you will explore the effects of PZQ alone and combined with prednisolone on hepatic inflammation in a mouse model of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Using samples from a pilot study, you will analyse liver granulomas, compare treatment groups and investigate associations with worm and egg burdens. Your findings will help us understand treatment-associated changes in tissue pathology and inform the design of future experiments. Depending on the availability of additional data, you may also investigate fibrosis and inflammatory markers.
DC3	Exploring self-testing, point-of-care testing and alternative care pathways for syphilis in the UK. (London)	Rising syphilis rates in the UK highlight the need for more accessible and equitable testing and care pathways. While self-testing and point-of-care testing offer opportunities to expand access beyond sexual health clinics, further research is needed to understand how these approaches could be integrated into comprehensive and equitable care pathways in the UK. This project will examine alternative models of non-clinical STI testing and care, including pharmacies, private providers and community-led services, and explore their applicability to the UK. This project will explore barriers and opportunities for implementing these models. The project will take a mixed-methods approach, and the student will have an opportunity to shape the methodology and direction of the work based on their interests. Suggested methods include a literature review, interviews, focus groups, workshops, and discrete choice experiments.

Title

Overview

DC1

Understanding the effects of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infection on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

(London)

In sub-Saharan Africa, genital Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species are prevalent during pregnancy, but their role in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes remains poorly understood.

This project will make use of previously collected vaginal samples, presently stored in London, and linked clinical data from participants in the ASPIRE trial in Zambia. The study provides a unique opportunity to investigate the prevalence and patterns of persistence and clearance across pregnancy and whether their presence is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Molecular detection data will be integrated with detailed participant metadata to investigate associations with preterm birth, low birthweight and small-for-gestational-age at birth. Further analyses may explore co-infection with other reproductive tract infections, treatment effects and relationships with vaginal microbial composition.

DC2

Can combined treatments reduce hepatic inflammation in experimental schistosomiasis?

(London)

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) causes chronic inflammation and reproductive health complications, yet optimal treatment strategies remain unclear. The WINGS+ project investigates whether combining praziquantel (PZQ) with anti-inflammatory drugs improves treatment outcomes.

As part of this research, you will explore the effects of PZQ alone and combined with prednisolone on hepatic inflammation in a mouse model of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Using samples from a pilot study, you will analyse liver granulomas, compare treatment groups and investigate associations with worm and egg burdens. Your findings will help us understand treatment-associated changes in tissue pathology and inform the design of future experiments. Depending on the availability of additional data, you may also investigate fibrosis and inflammatory markers.

DC3

Exploring self-testing, point-of-care testing and alternative care pathways for syphilis in the UK.

(London)

Rising syphilis rates in the UK highlight the need for more accessible and equitable testing and care pathways. While self-testing and point-of-care testing offer opportunities to expand access beyond sexual health clinics, further research is needed to understand how these approaches could be integrated into comprehensive and equitable care pathways in the UK. This project will examine alternative models of non-clinical STI testing and care, including pharmacies, private providers and community-led services, and explore their applicability to the UK.

This project will explore barriers and opportunities for implementing these models. The project will take a mixed-methods approach, and the student will have an opportunity to shape the methodology and direction of the work based on their interests. Suggested methods include a literature review, interviews, focus groups, workshops, and discrete choice experiments.