Concerns of World Health Organization About Trachoma
Seyedabolfazl Hosseininasab1 *
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract: Trachoma is probably the third most common cause of blindness worldwide, after cataract and glaucoma.. In 1996, WHO launched the Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020, based on the 'SAFE' strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement)
Although tremendous progress towards the 2020 goal of global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem has been made, it will not be achieved. Future targets are now being considered. One option is changing the goal to eradication.
The World Health Organization is leading a global effort to eliminate Blinding Trachoma, through the implementation of the SAFE strategy. This involves surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics for infection, facial cleanliness (hygiene promotion) and environmental improvements to reduce transmission of the organism.
To assess the evidence supporting the antibiotic arm of the SAFE strategy by assessing the effects of antibiotics on both active trachoma (primary objective), Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the conjunctiva, antibiotic resistance, and adverse effects (secondary objectives).
A number of different antibiotics have anti-chlamydial activity and have been used for treatment of trachoma. Currently, the most commonly used options are tetracycline eye ointment applied twice a day for 6 weeks or a single oral dose of azithromycin (20 mg/kg up to a maximum dose of 1 g).
This is a particular problem for control programmes in determining who should be offered antibiotic treatment; if only those with signs of trachoma are given antibiotic, many infected individuals with significant loads of infection would be left untreated.The WHO currently recommends that mass community-wide treatment should be used
Methods: This review was a summary of several related articles
Results: -
Conclusion: Development of alternative indicators for trachoma surveillance and continued investment in trachoma programmes, particularly focused support in the most heavily affected populations, might increase enthusiasm for the feasibility of eradication.
