Trachoma: from basics to clinic

Abstract

Trachoma is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases. It is caused by the serotypes A, B, Ba and C o the intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, acquired directly by ocular contact, and indirectly by fomites; also, transmitted by eye-seeking flies, and fingers contaminated with ocular and nasal secretions. Currently, trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world, it represents 1.4 % of the total cases and generates visual deterioration in 1.8 million people, of which 500 000 are blind. It is estimated that 51 countries are endemic, distributed in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. Outbreaks in America take place in Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. Initial ocular manifestations are epiphora, conjunctival injection and mucopurulent discharge; in the course of chronicity keratitis, entropion, trichiasis and corneal opacities are produced. Diagnosis is basically clinical. In order to eliminate this disease, the World Health Organization formulated the Global Program for the Elimination of Trachoma for 2020, based on the implementation of the SAFE strategy, which consists of surgery to avoid complications, antibiotic therapy, facial and body hygiene and the improvement of environmental conditions.

Keywords

• Azithromycin
• Blindness
• Chlamydia Trachomatis
• Neglected Diseases
• Trachoma