title: Absence of Chlamydia in trachomatous lacrimal sacs.
abstract: We performed lacrimal sac biopsies in 35 patients who underwent dacryocystohinostomies in Saudi Arabia. The nasolacrimal duct obstructions were presumably secondary to trachoma in 22 cases and unknown in the remaining 13 cases. Lacrimal sac specimens were submitted for routine histopathologic examination and the direct-smear fluorescent antibody test. All specimens were negative for chlamydia. Possible reasons for the low detection rate of chlamydia in the trachomatous group were the frequent finding of clinically inactive disease, common canalicular obstruction, and loss of the epithelial lining in the lacrimal sac.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Kersten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014141:Trachoma / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents