The Year and Now: HPRU BBSTI Annual Meeting spotlights new projects, promising progress and fresh perspectives

The Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood-Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections (BBSTI) held our 2026 annual meeting on 29 June at Goodenough College, London. While the sun shone outside, the presentations were just as illuminating, shining light upon our new programmes of research; outlining reporting on the progress of HPRU research projects, and ongoing approaches to Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIEP), Research Inclusion and Knowledge Mobilisation (KMb).

Chaired by Professor Caroline Sabin (UCL) and Dr John Saunders (UKHSA), the day kicked off with a catch-up on the latest news from the first of our four refreshed research themes. Dr Hamish Mohammed (UKHSA), Theme A Co-Lead, led an update on this programme of research aimed at understanding the uptake and outcomes of interventions to prevent, diagnose and treat STIs and BBVs. He noted that this was a time of rapid change, particularly around prevention, highlighting the rapid uptake of doxyPEP to lower the risk of acquiring syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea following condomless sex. His update also acknowledged the work of Dr Manik Kohli (UCL), which forms the foundation of a new HPRU research collaboration with community interest company The Love Tank, examining factors influencing decision-making amongst LGBTQIA+ users of this contemporary prevention tool.  He also noted the potential of doxyPEP to induce antimicrobial resistance, with a further Theme A project investigating methods to detect emergent resistance to tetracycline antibiotics in Chlamydia trachomatis. Different methods for syphilis diagnosis were debated too, particularly given that PCR tests – which detect bacterial DNA – can confirm live, active infections much earlier than standard antibody blood tests, expediting treatment before seroconversion.

Our Theme B research focuses on novel strategies for STI and BBV control. Co-leads Dr Liz Fearon (UCL) and Dr Daniel Bradshaw (UKHSA) gave a rich presentation that showcased ongoing projects, such as the COMbination Prevention Approaches for reducing Sexually transmitted infectionS (COMPASS) study, which recruited GBMSM (Gay, Bisexual and Men who have sex with Men) in the 18-25 age bracket. One notable emerging finding was how condom use may be impacted by ‘pretty privilege’, whereby partners considered more attractive may assert greater sway over whether barrier protection is employed or foregone within a sexual encounter.

Theme C research is concerned with the delivery of efficient, sustainable, and equitable services. Theme Co-leads Professor Fiona Burns (UCL) and Dr Holly Mitchell (UKHSA) outlined the ongoing programme of work. One key project is motivated by the challenges of Trichomonas vaginalis: the most common STI globally, which disproportionately impacts Black women, yet for which treatment options are limited. HPRU research will generate data to understand the epidemiology and genetic diversity of strains, which could inform the development of reference and diagnostic assays. Professor Burns highlighted the challenges of continuing community-based research, with the shuttering of commercial nightlife venues impacting plans for a new round of the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Survey, which gathers behavioural data paired with oral fluid that can be tested for HIV. Presentation of the challenges of an ongoing pilot of household contact outreach schemes intended to manage the spread of Hepatitis B raised audience discussion of whether fear of being criminalised for passing on an infection could impact some individuals’ willingness to participate.

Finally, Theme D research centres upon future pandemic preparedness and outbreak responses. Co-Leads Dr Shema Tariq (UCL) and Dr Gareth Hughes (UKHSA) highlighted the growing occurrence of antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea as a threat to UK BBSTI biosecurity. Horizon scanning has also identified a small but concerning rise in human cases of the rare skin infection, dermatophilosis. Traditionally acquired through direct contact with infected livestock, public health data from 2025-2026 reveals emerging urban clusters, suggesting possible human-to-human transmission via close skin-to-skin or sexual contact. Dr Hughes and Dr Tariq explained how planned Theme D projects will strengthen public health responses to new outbreaks, through initiatives such as developing enhanced surveillance for BBSTI outbreaks,  developing a national BBSTI outbreak communication strategy, and evaluating the use of appropriate control groups to improve the speed, consistency and robustness of outbreak analytical studies.

The following session focused on cross-cutting HPRU themes: PPIEP, Knowledge Mobilisation (KMb) and Research Inclusion and Health Equity (RIHE). The themes’ individual and highly collaborative cross-theme work ensures the unit’s research is representative, meaningfully involves communities, and is disseminated in an impactful way. Dr Tariq (UCL) and Kirsty Dimond (UKHSA), PPIEP co-leads, reported on the launch of a new Public Contributor Panel – integrating community voices into the HPRU at a strategic level – and development of an Involvement Network to enhance community engagement in HPRU projects. Dr Kirsty Foster  (UKHSA), RIHE co-lead with Dr Binta Sultan (UCL), outlined success in embedding RIHE in routine practice and governance, and meaningful integration of peer researchers working on HPRU projects, minimising one-off engagement. Future plans include the development of an informative inclusion dashboard. Closing the session, KMb co-leads Erna Buitendam (UKHSA) and Dr Danielle Solomon (UCL) shared updates on the successful introduction of project workbooks to help researchers define study rationale and plan impactful dissemination, informing training via a KMb training needs assessment, and innovative outputs published on the HPRU website. Going forward, KMb leads will support colleagues to take an active approach to knowledge mobilisation, translating research into impact.

Whilst this was the HPRU’s twelfth annual meeting for some, for five participants it was their first. Our 2026 PhD recruits, Lucas Mannion, Anisa Hasan-Granier, Siobhán Allison, Jodie Crossman and Alix Fox, all introduced their respective projects; read about each of them and their work here.

Want to learn more about a specific Theme project and our wider work? Head to our research page, or if you’re interested in connecting with a member of our team, you can find their profiles on our team page. If you have any questions, contact us at contact-hpru@ucl.ac.uk