Studies on the role of the famiy unit in the transmission of trachoma.
Rates of trachoma infection of family members were compared for two groups of index cases; all were infants about 1 year old observed over a period of several months in a previous study. Group A infants were consistently infected with trachoma, and Group B infants were not infected with trachoma. On the average, 50% of Group A family members had active infection (as determined by trachoma inclusions in their conjunctival cells) and 80% of the siblings within 6 years of age to the index cases were infected. Only 9% of Group B family members had active trachoma, and 20% of the siblings within 6 years of age to the index case were infected. This study suggests intrafamilial spread of trachoma.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014141:Trachoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission
D000914:Antibodies, Viral