What is the main cause of trachoma?
Trachoma is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness of infectious origin 1. Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, trachoma is easily spread through direct personal contact, shared towels and cloths, and flies that have come in contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person.
What’s the best treatment for trachoma?
Medications. In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. Your doctor may prescribe tetracycline eye ointment or oral azithromycin (Zithromax). Azithromycin appears to be more effective than tetracycline, but it’s more expensive.
What are the stages of trachoma?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified five stages in the development of trachoma:
- Inflammation — follicular.
- Inflammation — intense.
- Eyelid scarring.
- In-turned eyelashes (trichiasis).
- Corneal clouding (opacity).
What is the pathogenesis of trachoma?
Active trachoma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva, and repeated episodes of reinfection are thought to be necessary to sustain this inflammation. It is currently believed that much of the tissue damage is immunologically mediated.
Why do Africans get trachoma?
Poverty, poor sanitation habits and overcrowded areas are common factors that encourage the spread of the disease. Young people are most susceptible to the disease. A study out of northern Cameroon showed a higher prevalence in participants younger than nine than in participants older than 15.
Where is trachoma most common?
It is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. It causes about 1.4% of all blindness worldwide. Overall, Africa remains the most affected continent, and the one with the most intensive control efforts.
Does trachoma go away?
Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Blindness from trachoma is irreversible. It is a public health problem in 44 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
What is another name for trachoma?
| Trachoma | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Granular conjunctivitis, blinding trachoma, Egyptian ophthalmia |
| Surgical repair of in-turned eyelid and eyelashes resulting from trachoma | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Eye pain, blindness |
How can trachoma be controlled?
As a contagious bacterial infection that affects the conjunctival covering of the eye, the cornea and the eyelids, trachoma is controlled by an endorsed integrated strategy consisting of surgery for trichiasis, antibiotic therapy, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, namely, the SAFE strategy developed by …
How can trachoma be transmitted?
Trachoma is one of oldest infectious diseases known to humans. It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted through contact with eye secretions of infected people (shared use of towels and handkerchiefs, contact with fingers, etc.), as well by flies that help spread it.
Is trachoma genetic?
Another clue to the workings of trachoma – the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — has been revealed in a new study. Researchers identified markers of genetic regulation present in the early stages of infection that could predispose children to developing the condition in its long-term, severe form.
Which countries have trachoma?
Trachoma is hyperendemic in many of the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. It is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. It causes about 1.4% of all blindness worldwide.
What are the structural changes of a trachoma?
The later structural changes of trachoma are referred to as “cicatricial trachoma”. These include scarring in the eyelid (tarsal conjunctiva) that leads to distortion of the eyelid with buckling of the lid (tarsus) so the lashes rub on the eye (trichiasis).
What happens if you have a trachoma infection?
Untreated, repeated trachoma infections can result in a form of permanent blindness when the eyelids turn inward. The bacteria that cause the disease can be spread by both direct and indirect contact with an affected person’s eyes or nose.
When is the target date for elimination of trachoma?
The NTD road map 2021–2030, endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2020 through its decision 73 (33), sets 2030 as the new target date for global elimination. In 2019, 92 622 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 95.2 million people were treated with antibiotics.
Is the trachoma in the eye contagious?
Active trachoma (defined as trachoma follicular and/or trachoma inflammation) predominantly affects young children, and is a contagious infection of the eye by specific, non-genital strains of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.