Work

Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection: elimination with mass drug administration

Year: 2019

Type: review

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the causative agent for trachoma, is responsible for 1.9 million cases of visual loss worldwide. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with azithromycin to entire trachoma-endemic districts is part of the World Health Organization's public health strategy for trachoma elimination. Areas covered: Background on C. trachomatis and the epidemiology of trachoma are presented, followed by a review of the antibiotics for treatment and the need for a public health approach to trachoma elimination. The effectiveness of mass drug administration is presented, concluding with challenges to trachoma elimination in the future. Expert opinion: MDA using azithromycin is a key component of the public health strategy for trachoma elimination. With high coverage in children, there is good evidence that MDA drops the community pool of infection. There are challenges to trachoma elimination by the year 2020, and the drug donation program for country MDAs will be integral to ongoing efforts.

Source: Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy

DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2019.1577136

Authors: Meraf A. Wolle, Sheila K. West

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Ocular Infections and Treatments

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Eye Institute