Three-day course of oral azithromycin vs topical oxytetracycline/polymyxin in treatment of active endemic trachoma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study on endemic trachoma was to carry out a comparison of azithromycin (3-day course, oral dose of 10 mg/kg per day) with conventional treatment (topical oxytetracycline/polymyxin ointment; twice a day for 2 months) in a rural area near Sanliurfa, Turkey.


METHODS
Ninety-six subjects with active trachoma were randomly assigned conventional or azithromycin treatment. Subjects were examined 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the start of treatment. Clinical findings were recorded for each eye. Swabs were taken from upper eyelids 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment for direct fluorescein antibody test.


RESULTS
By six-month follow-up, trachoma had resolved clinically in 43 (89.58%) of the 48 subjects who received azithromycin, compared with 33 (68. 75%) of the 48 who were treated conventionally. Microbiological success rates (direct fluorescein antibody test negativity) were 83. 33% in the azithromycin group and 62.50% in the conventional therapy group. Compliance with both treatments was good. By 6 months, 14.58% of the subjects in azithromycin group and 33.33% of the subjects in the topical treatment group were reinfected. There were significant differences in the efficacy of the treatment effects and the re-emergence of disease between the two treatment groups. Azithromycin was well-tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that azithromycin may be an effective alternative for patients with active trachoma. As a systemic treatment, a 3-day course oral dose has important potential for trachoma control.
Guzey
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Harran University School of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Aslan
G
G
Ozardali
I
I
Basar
E
E
Satici
A
A
Karadede
S
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011113:Polymyxins; D017963:Azithromycin; D010118:Oxytetracycline