ARBO-UK Study
ARBO-UK: Understanding the burden of imported arbovirus infection into the UK
Arbovirus infections are caused by viruses spread by insects such as mosquitoes or ticks (called arthropods). When bitten by one of these insects, the viruses can lead to illness in humans including those caused by Japanese encephalitis, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever virus and Zika virus.
Arbovirus infections can cause a range of human illnesses. Sometimes people may not be aware they have been infected but more commonly people can experience headaches, muscle aches, high temperatures and a rash. Some people can experience very severe illnesses such as excessive bleeding (haemorrhage) throughout the body or inflammation in the brain (encephalitis).
Arboviruses are found worldwide, mostly in tropical regions and are an increasing problem due to climate change. It is unusual to get an arbovirus directly in the UK although there are some that affect animals and very rarely also affect people. More commonly, they cause illnesses in returning travellers to the UK.
ARBO-UK aims to better understand how patients with an arbovirus are affected and treated in the UK. The study will also provide important samples for scientists to be able to develop new tests to diagnose infections and potentially develop vaccines against arboviruses in the future.
The ARBO-UK study is recruiting those who fulfil the following criteria:
1. People who present to a hospital in the UK
2. People with a confirmed positive test for an Arbovirus or clinical symptoms consistent with Arbovirus infection
3. People aged 18 years and over
The participants are asked to:
• Provide a throat swab, blood sample and questionnaire at recruitment and 1, 6 months post illness onset
• Give permission to obtain their clinical information regarding their illness.
The study will last for 3 years and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (HPRU-EZI) for recruitment up to 300 participants. So far, we have more than 80 patients enrolled in the study across 17 hospital sites, with more in the process of joining. The study team includes those below and can be contacted any time on arbo@liverpool.ac.uk.
Professor Lance Turtle, Chief Investigator
Dr Sam Tweed, Clinical Fellow
NIHR Associate PI scheme
ARBO-UK is part of the NIHR Associate Principal Investigators (PI) scheme. This is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for health and care professionals starting their research career.
People who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in clinical research in their day-to-day role have the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of an enthusiastic Local Principal Investigator (PI). A Principal Investigator is an individual responsible for the conduct of a research study at a site.
Associate PIs receive formal recognition of engagement in NIHR Portfolio research studies through the certification of Associate PI status, endorsed by the NIHR and Royal Colleges.
Please visit Associate Principal Investigator Scheme | NIHR page for more information, then contact your site PI or central study team on arbo@liverpool.ac.uk to join the scheme.
Dr Hermaleigh Townsley (Academic Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, University of Sheffield / Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) reflects on the experience of being an Associate PI:
"I was working in Sheffield as a specialty training in Infectious Diseases and approached the local PI (Dr Ankcorn) about joining the Associate PI training scheme. As an Associate PI trainee, I worked alongside our research coordinator and research nurse to support participant recruitment, data collection and implement study modifications. It’s been really useful to learn about the PI’s role in study governance and to gain practical experience of the coordination and leadership involved in managing a local study site."