Complete elimination is a difficult goal for trachoma programs in severely affected communities.
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.
Gill
Deborah A
DA
F. I. Proctor Foundation, San Francisco, USA.
Lakew
Takele
T
Alemayehu
Wondu
W
Melese
Muluken
M
Zhou
Zhaoxia
Z
House
Jenafir I
JI
Hong
Kevin C
KC
Ray
Kathryn J
KJ
Gandhi
Nandini
N
Whitcher
John P
JP
Gaynor
Bruce D
BD
Lietman
Thomas M
TM
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*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin; D013752:Tetracycline