Single-dose azithromycin prevents trichiasis recurrence following surgery: randomized trial in Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Trichiasis recurrence following surgery is a serious problem for trachoma programs.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if postoperative treatment with azithromycin compared with topical tetracycline reduces recurrence up to 1 year, and if azithromycin treatment of household members provides additional benefit compared with treating only the surgical patient.


METHODS
A randomized, single-masked, clinical trial was conducted in Ethiopia. A total of 1452 patients with trichiasis were randomized 1:1:1 to the following 3 arms: single-dose (1 g) oral azithromycin alone, single-dose azithromycin for household members (20 mg/kg up to 1 g) plus the patient, or topical tetracycline (twice per day for 6 weeks).


METHODS
Trichiasis recurrence within 1 year following surgery.


RESULTS
The combined azithromycin groups had significantly fewer recurrences, 6.9 of 100 person-years overall, compared with topical tetracycline, 10.3 of 100 person-years (P = .047). There was no additional reduction in the arm that also treated household members, 8.1 of 100 person-years, compared with treating the surgical patients alone, 5.8 of 100 person-years (P = .19).


CONCLUSIONS
In trachoma-endemic areas, a single dose of azithromycin reduced postoperative trichiasis recurrence rates by one third compared with topical tetracycline. Application to Clinical Practice In countries where azithromycin is part of the Trachoma Control Program, patients with trachomatous trichiasis should be treated postoperatively to prevent recurrence.
Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. shwest@jhmi.edu
Sheila K
SK
West
Emily S
ES
West
Wondu
W
Alemayehu
Muluken
M
Melese
Beatriz
B
Munoz
Alemush
A
Imeru
Alemayehu
A
Worku
Charlotte
C
Gaydos
Curtis L
CL
Meinert
Thomas
T
Quinn
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000187:drug effects*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin; D013752:Tetracycline