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A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
Published on: August 11, 2012
Azithromycin in control of trachoma
J Schachter1, S K West, D Mabey
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0842, USA. jsch@itsa.ucsf.edu
Lancet (London, England)
|August 31, 1999
Summary
Community-wide oral azithromycin significantly reduced Chlamydia trachomatis infection and clinical trachoma compared to topical tetracycline. This oral azithromycin treatment is a promising strategy for trachoma control in endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Trachoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness globally.
- Current prevention relies on community-wide topical tetracycline treatment.
- This study evaluated oral azithromycin as an alternative for trachoma control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of community-wide oral azithromycin versus topical tetracycline in reducing Chlamydia trachomatis infection and clinical trachoma.
- To assess treatment compliance and outcomes in trachoma-endemic areas.
Main Methods:
- Matched village pairs in Egypt, The Gambia, and Tanzania were randomized to receive either oral azithromycin or topical tetracycline.
- Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected using ligase chain reaction (LCR).
- Clinical examinations and LCR testing were performed at baseline and follow-up (2-14 months).
Main Results:
- Oral azithromycin treatment resulted in significantly greater reductions in village-wide LCR positivity and clinical trachoma activity compared to topical tetracycline at 1-year follow-up.
- Treatment compliance exceeded 90% for both interventions, with a slight exception in one Egyptian tetracycline village.
- Factors associated with persistent LCR positivity at 1 year included not receiving azithromycin, younger age, and baseline LCR positivity.
Conclusions:
- Community-wide oral azithromycin markedly reduces Chlamydia trachomatis infection and clinical trachoma.
- Oral azithromycin represents a potentially important and effective approach for trachoma control in endemic areas.
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