Controlled human infection for vaccine research in Malawi

Streptococcus pneumoniae uses the human nasopharynx as both a port of entry (when it causes disease), and a reservoir (when it transmits in the population). We have a successful controlled human colonisation model in Liverpool which will be extended to Malawi, enabling investigation of a different population, with different comorbidities (e.g. HIV). The work will involve studying people during experimental infection to understand the feasibility, the underlying immunology, the safety, and the acceptability of this research in a low income setting.