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Effect of azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma on spleen rates in G ambian children
Author(s) -
Hart John D.,
Edwards Tansy,
Burr Sarah E.,
HardingEsch Emma M.,
Takaoka Kensuke,
Holland Martin J.,
Sillah Ansumana,
Mabey David C. W.,
Bailey Robin L.
Publication year - 2014
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/tmi.12234
Subject(s) - azithromycin , trachoma , medicine , mass drug administration , spleen , antibiotics , surgery , pediatrics , population , environmental health , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
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. Conclusion 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.