A seven-year trial has found that childhood eye infection (trachoma) rates increased after an antibiotic distribution program ended in northern Ethiopia
(Optometry Today)–New research has found that the mass distribution of the antibiotic, azithromycin, in northern Ethiopia is effective in preventing the re-occurrence of trachoma* but does not eliminate infection entirely.
The study, which was published in PLOS Medicine, involved 3938 children in 48 northern Ethiopian communities (mainly in Amhara Regional State) who participated in a four-year trachoma prevention trial of either annual or semi-annual antibiotic treatment.
Within the study group, patients either continued on annual or semi-annual treatment or ceased treatment.
They were then observed for between three and five years and assessed for ocular chlamydia.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Mass azithromycin distribution for hyperendemic trachoma following a cluster-randomized trial: A continuation study of randomly reassigned subclusters (TANA II)
The condition continued to be present in communities that received antibiotic treatment, although at a lower rate than in patient groups who ceased treatment.
The authors concluded that stopping antibiotic treatment in severely affected areas is not realistic, and alternative strategies for trachoma elimination may be required in the most severely affected areas.
* According to the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC), there are more than 75 million people living in trachoma-endemic areas in Ethiopia, the largest number of any country in the world. The backlog of people who urgently need eyelid surgery to prevent blindness in Ethiopia stands at over 693,000 – again, the largest number of any country in the world – WHO Alliance for GET2020 Database, 1 March 2016. [Worldwide, 157.7 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness].
There has been considerable progress towards the goal of eliminating trachoma by 2020, and The Carter Center (based in Atlanta, GA) and the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI, based in Decatur, GA) are among the lead partners in this magnificent effort.
Source: Optometry Today