title: Complete elimination is a difficult goal for trachoma programs in severely affected communities.
abstract: The World Health Organization has distributed millions of doses of azithromycin to control the ocular chlamydial infection that causes trachoma. Theoretically, a loftier goal of elimination is feasible. Here, we demonstrate that, although local elimination of infection in the most severely affected communities is difficult, it is possible with biannual antibiotic distributions.
authors.affiliation: F. I. Proctor Foundation, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Takele
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lakew
authors.forename: Wondu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alemayehu
authors.forename: Muluken
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melese
authors.forename: Zhaoxia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jenafir I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Nandini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Whitcher
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gaynor
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lietman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin; D013752:Tetracycline