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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
09:11
A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
Published on: August 11, 2012
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Trachoma.
Anthony W Solomon1, Matthew J Burton2,3, Emily W Gower4,5
1Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. solomona@who.int.
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers
|May 26, 2022
Summary
Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, can lead to blindness. The SAFE strategy, combining surgery, antibiotic mass drug administration, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement, is successfully preventing trachomatous blindness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to irreversible blindness in millions worldwide.
- It involves two chronic processes: recurrent infection in children and cicatricial disease causing trichiasis later in life.
- Blindness can occur years after infection transmission ceases, necessitating distinct public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the pathophysiology of trachoma and its distinct disease processes.
- To emphasize the need for targeted interventions to prevent trachomatous blindness.
- To discuss the effectiveness of the SAFE strategy in controlling trachoma.
Main Methods:
- Review of trachoma's linked infectious and cicatricial disease processes.
- Analysis of public health interventions including surgery and mass drug administration.
- Evaluation of the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement).
Main Results:
- Trachoma affects the poorest communities, with 1.8 million people blind in June 2021.
- Over 150 infection episodes are typically required to cause trichiasis and blindness.
- The SAFE strategy is demonstrating considerable success in reducing infection prevalence and transmission.
Conclusions:
- Distinct clinical and public health responses are required for the infectious and cicatricial phases of trachoma.
- The SAFE strategy is an effective approach to combatting trachoma and preventing blindness.
- Continued efforts are crucial to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2030.
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