title: Prevalence of trachoma in chronic conjunctivitis, Birjand, Islamic Republic of Iran.
abstract: Between January 1999 and December 2000, 80 consecutive patients with chronic conjunctivitis presenting in the eye clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were assessed for trachoma and chlamydial infection. Direct fluorescent antibody test was used to assess trachoma and Giemsa staining to detect chlamydial infection. Trachoma was detected in 10% of the patients and chlamydial infection detected in 6.3%. The results were similar for both sexes. Although the findings are hospital-based, the prevalence was not so high as to suggest prophylactic use of azithromycin (World Health Organization protocol) for eradication of trachoma in the Birjand population. Further epidemiological studies are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Yaqubi
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Anani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001399:Azure Stains; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014141:Trachoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001399:Azure Stains; D017963:Azithromycin