Investigating whether Chlamydia trachomatis can increase the infectivity of HPV during genital tract infection

This Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine research project investigates whether Chlamydia trachomatis can increase the infectivity of human papillomavirus (HPV) during genital tract infection. The study addresses an important question about how co-infections within the genital tract might influence viral transmission and pathogenesis. The project is positioned as an accessible laboratory research opportunity for OMS-1 and OMS-2 students through the MU-WCOM Summer Research Program and is aligned with the college’s priorities to deepen student knowledge in microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease mechanisms.

The research aims to characterize interactions between a common bacterial sexually transmitted pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis, and HPV, a leading cause of cervical and other anogenital cancers. By probing whether Chlamydia exposure or infection alters susceptibility to HPV infection or enhances HPV infectivity in genital tract tissues or model systems, the work seeks to clarify potential biological mechanisms that could have implications for prevention, screening, and clinical management of co-infected patients.