zithromax and Corneal-Opacity

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness. Conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis infection causes scarring, entropion, trichiasis, and blinding corneal opacification. Worldwide, there are 8 million people with trichiasis. Although trichiasis surgery can reduce the risk of blindness, retrospective data suggest that long-term recurrence rates may be high. A 4-year prospective investigation of recurrent trichiasis was conducted in The Gambia.. Patients with trichiasis were examined at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years after posterior lamellar tarsal rotation surgery. Conjunctival swabs for bacteriology and PCR for C. trachomatis were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year.. Three hundred fifty-six Gambian patients were enrolled at baseline and 266 were reassessed at 4 years (94% of surviving patients). The recurrence rates were 32%, 40%, and 41% at 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years, respectively. At 4 years, 30% of patients had bilateral trichiasis and 21% had bilateral corneal opacity. Recurrence was associated with severe conjunctival inflammation and severe trichiasis (>10 lashes) at baseline.. Trichiasis recurrence rates were high, and most cases recurred within 6 months of surgery. The results suggest that there are important aspects of surgical technique and quality that should to be addressed. Persistent inflammation is strongly associated with recurrence at 4 years.

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Chlamydia trachomatis; Corneal Opacity; Eyelashes; Eyelid Diseases; Female; Gambia; Hair Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prospective Studies; Secondary Prevention; Trachoma; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity

A high proportion of active trachoma infection in children of Car-Nicobar Island was reported through the Trachoma Rapid Assessment survey conducted in year 2010 by the same researchers. Annual mass drug treatment with azithromycin was administered from years 2010-12 to all individuals residing in this island for reducing the burden of active trachoma infection. A cross-sectional prevalence survey was conducted in the year 2013 to assess the post-treatment burden of trachoma in this population.. In the 15 randomly selected compact segments from each village of the island, children aged 1-9 years were examined for evidence of active trachoma infection and participants aged ten years and above were examined for trachomatous trichiasis and corneal opacity.. A total of 809 children (1-9 years) and 2735 adults were examined. Coverage with azithromycin for all the three rounds was more than 80%. The prevalence of active trachoma infection in children aged 1-9 years old was 6.8% (95% CI 5.1, 8.5) and Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) was 3.9% (95% CI 3.2, 4.6). The risk factors associated with active trachoma infection were older age and unclean faces. The risk factors associated with TT were older age and lower literacy level.. Trachoma has not been eliminated from Car-Nicobar Island in accordance to 'Global Elimination of Trachoma, 2020' guidelines. Sustained efforts and continuous surveillance admixed with adequate programmatic response is imperative for elimination of trachoma in the island.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Corneal Opacity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India; Infant; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Trachoma; Trichiasis

We determined whether Besivance (Bausch & Lomb), AzaSite (Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc; both with DuraSite bioadhesive [InSite Vision, Inc]) and ciprofloxacin are toxic inside the anterior chamber.. Randomized, masked, placebo-controlled animal study.. Twenty New Zealand white rabbits (40 eyes) were randomized to 1 of 4 study groups: Besivance, AzaSite, ciprofloxacin, and balanced salt solution. Each eye was injected with 0.1 mL of the study medication. Clinical slit-lamp examinations were conducted at 24 and 48 hours after injection. All rabbits then were killed and all eyes were enucleated. We randomized eyes to either corneal vital staining or histopathologic examination. The main outcome measures were clinical and pathologic signs of toxicity.. The 2 DuraSite-based study groups (Besivance and AzaSite) showed clinically and pathologically significant differences when compared with the ciprofloxacin and balanced salt solution groups. Besivance and AzaSite eyes exhibited significantly similar and severe clinical damage, including severe corneal edema. Ciprofloxacin and balanced salt solution eyes appeared very similar and had only mild conjunctival injection and limbal vascularity. Vital staining and histopathologic evaluation revealed glaucomatous and toxic damage in eyes given DuraSite-based medications, whereas non-DuraSite groups showed minimal changes.. DuraSite blocks the trabecular meshwork and may be additionally toxic when introduced as a large bolus. Until the safety of these medications is established with further studies using smaller injected volumes, we recommend placement of a suture over a clear corneal wound if DuraSite-based medications are used.

Topics: Acetates; Animals; Anterior Chamber; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azepines; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Corneal Opacity; Drug Combinations; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Glaucoma; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Minerals; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Sodium Chloride; Trabecular Meshwork

Trachoma, a major cause of blindness in some of the world's poorest countries, results from repeated or chronic eye infections with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Blindness; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Corneal Opacity; Developing Countries; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Global Health; Humans; Infant; Ophthalmic Solutions; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tetracycline; Trachoma; World Health Organization