Does persistent active trachoma mandate antibiotic mass drug administration? A comparison of prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular with that of conjunctival infection and anti-chlamydial antibodies in Western Province, Zambia

Summary

This publication compares the evaluation unit-level prevalence of the active trachoma sign, trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF), to that of conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection and anti-Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) seropositivity.

Based on TF prevalence, the population surveyed qualified for additional antibiotic mass drug administration (MDA) rounds. However, the tests using more specific indicators of current or recent Ct infection confirmed an absence of significant current community Ct transmission, allowing a transition to surveillance. Adding these additional indicators is helpful for programmatic decision making in areas of persistent active trachoma.