Tripartite International Research for the Elimination of Trachoma
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Mass antimicrobial administrations have been remarkably successful in reducing the prevalence
of the ocular strains of Chlamydia that cause trachoma. Repeated distributions progressively
lower the prevalence of infection, and in some cases may even result in local elimination.
Mass treatments cannot be continued forever, due to concerns about cost and antibiotic
resistance. The hope has been that other measures such as latrine construction and hygiene
programs would prevent infection from returning. Unfortunately, no non-antibiotic measure has
yet demonstrated an effect on infection.
1. We hypothesize that Chlamydial infection will return to communities when treatment ends.
2. We hypothesize that infection will be completely eliminated in all communities treated
for seven years.
3. We hypothesize that identifying and treating clinically active cases among preschool
aged children will delay or even prevent reemergence at a far lower cost than mass
treatment of all individuals.