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Epidemiology and control of trachoma: systematic review
Author(s) -
Hu Victor H.,
HardingEsch Emma M.,
Burton Matthew J.,
Bailey Robin L.,
Kadimpeul Julbert,
Mabey David C. W.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02521.x
Subject(s) - trachoma , trichiasis , blindness , medicine , chlamydia trachomatis , epidemiology , public health , disease , pediatrics , gynecology , optometry , pathology
Summary Trachoma is the commonest infectious cause of blindness. Recurrent episodes of infection with serovars A–C of Chlamydia trachomatis cause conjunctival inflammation in children who go on to develop scarring and blindness as adults. It was estimated that in 2002 at least 1.3 million people were blind from trachoma, and currently 40 million people are thought to have active disease and 8.2 million to have trichiasis. The disease is largely found in poor, rural communities in developing countries, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa. The WHO promotes trachoma control through a multifaceted approach involving surgery, mass antibiotic distribution, encouraging facial cleanliness and environmental improvements. This has been associated with significant reductions in the prevalence of active disease over the past 20 years, but there remain a large number of people with trichiasis who are at risk of blindness.