Infections

Our Vision

Addressing critically important global health challenges

The aim of the Infections Theme is to conduct randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies to address critically important global health challenges in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, whose results will change guidelines, policy and practice, and which align with the major strategic directions of WHO.

Extensive international expertise in clinical trials

The MRC CTU at UCL has led international trials in HIV treatment and prevention since the 1980s (previously as the MRC HIV Clinical Trials Centre) and in tuberculosis since the 1950s (previously as the Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Unit) and is recognised as having extensive international expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of RCTs in infectious diseases in both adults and children.

Our Programmes

Our work consists of three linked programmes encompassing a spectrum of infectious disease clinical trials activity: 

Blood borne viruses

We lead international research on blood borne viruses (BBVs), in particular HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV). Our research focuses on optimising strategies for Hepatitis C cure, HIV prevention and functional cure, and HIV treatments in adults and children. 

Respiratory infections

We work on some of the most important respiratory infections, including tuberculosis, influenza and pneumonia caused by bacterial infections. Our work includes studies looking at how to prevent and treat drug resistant respiratory infections.

Syndromic infections

Some infectious diseases present as syndromes and are difficult to diagnose, particularly in low-income settings and in children. Our work includes studies on the acutely sick child in Africa, bacterial sepsis and drug resistance, and syndromic infections in high-income countries.