Sophie Kelly upgrading seminar - Monday 22nd June - 10:00 BST

Sophie Kelly will be presenting at her upgrading seminar on Monday the 22nd of June, 10:00 BST on 'Understanding acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis in young people with HIV in Zimbabwe (MUKUNDI)'.

Zoom details below :

Meeting ID: 885 2242 1298

Password: 346770 

Background

Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis (aEV) is a skin condition caused by susceptibility to beta-human papillomaviruses(beta-HPV). Young people living with HIV (YPHIV) and those with perinatally-acquired HIV are disproportionately affected due to early-life immune dysregulation. The evidence base on aEV lacks data on community-based prevalence, clinical and epidemiological risk factors, quality of life impact and systematic evaluation of HPV genotypes. This work addresses these gaps.

Methods

This PhD consists of five interlinked studies:

1.     Modified Delphi Study: Iterative surveys of expert panellists are used to define diagnostic criteria for aEV applicable in high and low resource settings.

2.     Cross-sectional Survey: A survey of 1,852 YPHIV enrolled with a community organisation in Harare, Zimbabwe, will estimate aEV prevalence. Participants will complete demographic, HIV and skin health questionnaires, and, if indicated, undergo skin examination, photography, and skin-related quality of life assessment. Individuals with aEV and matched controls will be invited for skin swabs, eyebrow hair sampling, biopsy, and interviews.

3.     Human Papilloma Virus analysis: A descriptive study will characterise alpha, beta and gamma HPV types in swabs and eyebrow follicles from aEV cases and controls, with additional sampling from participants with existing biopsies and confirmed skin malignancy.

4.     Historic Cohort Analysis: An electronic health record analysis at an HIV clinic in Harare will characterise the prevalence and risk factors for aEV in a clinic cohort.

5.     Quality of life study: A mixed-methods quality of life study will use the quantitative survey data, in-depth interviews and body mapping to explore the lived experience of people with aEV.

Expected Outcomes: This work will provide the first diagnostic criteria, community prevalence estimate of aEV, define risk factors and HPV genotypes associated with aEV and describe the lived experience of people with aEV. This is critical to inform future research and service planning for this neglected condition.