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[Trachoma and the conjunctival impression test]
S Resnikoff1, R Castan, S Bonnet
1Institut d'Ophtalmologie, Tropicale de l'Afrique, Bamako, Mali.
Revue Internationale Du Trachome Et De Pathologie Oculaire Tropicale Et Subtropicale Et De Sante Publique : Organe De La Ligue Contre Le Trachome Avec La Collaboration De L'International Organization Against Trachoma Et Des Organisation
|January 1, 1991
Summary
The Transferred Conjunctival Impression test (TCI) identifies Xerophthalmia risk in children. However, trachoma significantly impacts TCI results, showing a 1.7x higher abnormal rate in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Xerophthalmia remains a significant public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings.
- The Transferred Conjunctival Impression (TCI) test offers a non-invasive method for identifying at-risk populations.
- Conjunctival pathology, such as trachoma, may influence the accuracy of the TCI test.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the influence of trachoma on the results of the Transferred Conjunctival Impression test in children.
- To quantify the relationship between trachoma and abnormal TCI test results in a Sahelian population.
Summary:
- A trial involving 450 children aged 4-6 in the Sahelian zone assessed the TCI test's performance.
- Results indicated that children with trachoma had a 1.7 times higher rate of abnormal TCI tests compared to non-trachomatous children, after controlling for age, residence, and nutritional status.
- Conjunctival deficit was more frequent in trachomatous subjects.
Impact:
- The TCI test is particularly useful in areas with low trachoma prevalence.
- In regions with high trachoma prevalence, concurrent eye examinations are recommended to differentiate results between trachomatous and non-trachomatous children.
- The study provides formulae for adjusting TCI test estimates when separate trachoma data is unavailable.