title: Effect of azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma on spleen rates in Gambian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of azithromycin mass drug administration regimens on spleen rates in children aged 0-5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical assessment of spleen size was carried out during a cluster-randomised trial of azithromycin mass treatment for trachoma elimination in The Gambia. Twenty-four communities received three annual mass treatments with azithromycin, and 24 communities received treatment at baseline only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 30-month follow-up, 3646 children aged 0-5 years had spleen examination and measurement. Palpable splenomegaly was significantly lower in annually treated vs. baseline-only treatment communities and in treated vs. untreated children at 24 months in the annual treatment arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest an effect of azithromycin on spleen rates at the individual level and are most plausibly due to the antimalarial effects of azithromycin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Tansy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: Emma M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Harding-Esch
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takaoka
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Ansumana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sillah
authors.forename: David C W
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mabey
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: azithromycin; malaria; mortality; spleen; splenomegaly