Mass antibiotic treatment and community protection in trachoma control programs.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Azithromycin is highly effective against trachoma, but the practical difficulties of community-wide distribution often leave many individuals untreated. We demonstrate, after mass azithromycin treatment of a population in Ethiopia, an indirect protective effect that occurred among untreated children who resided in villages in which most individuals had been treated. Similarities with the indirect protection within a treated community (i.e., "herd protection") that has been observed in vaccination programs are discussed.
منابع مشابه
Mass Antibiotic Treatment Alone Does Not Eliminate Ocular Chlamydial Infection
Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is the leading infectious cause of preventable blindness globally. For trachoma control, the World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the SAFE strategy, an integrated program of 1) eyelid Surgery to correct the in-turned eyelashes associated with severe trachoma and stops pain and minimizes risk of corneal damage; 2) Antibiotic treatment for activ...
متن کاملNumber of Years of Annual Mass Treatment With Azithromycin Needed to Control Trachoma in Hyper-endemic Communities in Tanzania
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends mass treatment as part of a trachoma control strategy. However, scant empirical data from hyperendemic communities exist on the number of rounds of treatment needed to reach a goal of <5% prevalence in children. We determined the prevalence of trachoma and infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in communities after 3-7 years of annual mass treat...
متن کاملA rationale for continuing mass antibiotic distributions for trachoma
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends periodic mass antibiotic distributions to reduce the ocular strains of chlamydia that cause trachoma, the world's leading cause of infectious blindness. Their stated goal is to control infection, not to completely eliminate it. A single mass distribution can dramatically reduce the prevalence of infection. However, if infection is not eliminat...
متن کاملThe epidemiological dynamics of infectious trachoma may facilitate elimination.
INTRODUCTION Trachoma programs use mass distributions of oral azithromycin to treat the ocular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis that cause the disease. There is debate whether infection can be eradicated or only controlled. Mass antibiotic administrations clearly reduce the prevalence of chlamydia in endemic communities. However, perfect coverage is unattainable, and the World Health Organizati...
متن کاملMass treatment and the effect on the load of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a trachoma-hyperendemic community.
PURPOSE Trachoma remains a leading cause of blindness. Determining the most effective antibiotic treatment strategy is essential for the success of country-based trachoma control programs. METHODS Baseline and 2-month follow-up examinations were performed in a trachoma-hyperendemic village. All residents were offered azithromycin for trachoma after baseline was determined. Infection with Chla...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
دوره 39 9 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2004