Trachoma
Trachoma occurs in developing countries of the world, especially in poor villages. Beginning in childhood, chronic infection and reinfection eventually cause conjunctival scarring and eyelid deformities. The eyelid deformities and inflammation can lead to corneal damage and eventually blindness.
CASES/YEAR
0 (US); 84,000,000 (Global)
OTHER NAMES
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU); The Chlamydia family include the following species: C. trachomatis (A-C serovar = trachoma; D-K serovar = urethritis; and L1-L3 serovar = lymphogranuloma venereum), C. pneumoniae, and C. pssitaci. [Cecil p. 1977)
INCUBATION
5-12 days; [CCDM]
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
Conjunctivitis
PRECAUTIONS
"Infectivity ceases within 2-3 days of the start of antibiotic therapy, long before clinical improvement." [CCDM, p. 619]
COMMENTS
Beginning in childhood, chronic infection and reinfection eventually cause conjunctival scarring and eyelid deformities (trichiasis and entropion). The eyelid deformities and inflammation can lead to corneal damage (pannus) and eventually blindness. The earliest conjunctival changes are lymphoid follicles and papillary hypertrophy of the tarsal conjunctiva of the upper eyelids. Infection can be spread by flies. [CCDM, p. 618-20]
DIAGNOSTIC
IF or Giemsa stain of conjunctival scrapings; Antigen detection by EIA or DNA probe; Culture;
SCOPE
In developing countries of the world, especially in poor villages; [CCDM]
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
-
O conjunctivitis, acute
-
*blindness
ENTRY
Skin or Mucous Membranes (Includes Conjunctiva)
RISK FACTORS
- Work in a medical or research lab
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1.
2. (Global) 2.2 million impaired--of these 1.2 million blind; [Fact sheets from WHO] 84 million affected by trachoma; [Gorbach, p. 386]