title: Epidemiology of ocular chlamydial infection in a trachoma-hyperendemic area.
abstract: The epidemiology of ocular chlamydial infection in a trachoma-hyperendemic area of Tanzania was investigated. Specimens for chlamydial isolation cultures and direct fluorescent antibody cytology were collected from 1085 children aged 1-7 years. Other data included examinations for signs of clinical trachoma and the collection of household data on risk factors. A total of 33% of children had a positive laboratory test for Chlamydia species. The most important factors for predicting chlamydial infection were the presence of a sibling with laboratory evidence of infection, increased number of flies around the house, a household that herded cattle, and practice of a local religion. Younger children and girls were at no increased risk for a positive laboratory test, although these subgroups have more clinical disease. The data are compatible with a model of less frequent episodes of reinfection as children become older.
authors.affiliation: Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Institute and School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rapoza
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katala
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003235:Conjunctivitis, Inclusion / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004175:Diptera; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012067:Religion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology*