Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
It is a public health problem in 42 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
Blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
Based on June 2022 data, 125 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness.
Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and through flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye. This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea.
In 2021, 69 266 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 64.6 million people were treated with antibiotics. Global antibiotic coverage in 2021 was 44%.
Environmental factors associated with more intense transmission of C. trachomatis include:
1.inadequate hygiene
2.crowded households
3.inadequate access to water
4.inadequate access to and use of sanitation.
Elimination programmes in endemic countries are being implemented using the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy. This consists of:
1.Surgery to treat the blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis);
2.Antibiotics to clear infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin, which is donated by the manufacturer to elimination programmes, through the International Trachoma Initiative;
3.Facial cleanliness; and
4.Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.
2 авг 2023
