Discord between presence of follicular conjunctivitis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a single Torres Strait Island community: a cross-sectional survey.

Autor: Lynch KD; Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Queensland Health.; UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland., Brian G; Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Queensland Health.; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Ahwang T; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Newie T; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Newie V; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Perrett C; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Wharton G; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland.; Cairns Eye & Laser Centre, Cairns, Queensland., Brown A; Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland., Tozer S; UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland., Kaldor JM; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales., Whop LJ; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory.; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory., Andrews RM; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory.; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory., Lambert SB; Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Queensland Health.; UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland.; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health [Aust N Z J Public Health] 2022 Apr; Vol. 46 (2), pp. 155-160. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jan 03.
DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13179
Abstrakt: Objective: Recent surveys identified trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) at endemic levels in the Torres Strait Islands; however, local health staff do not report trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in adults. We undertook a cross-sectional survey involving eye examination and microbiological testing to better understand this disconnect.
Methods: We examined 169 of 207 (82%) residents and collected ocular swabs for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Chlamydia trachomatis. Other viral PCR tests and bacterial culture were also performed.
Results: TF prevalence in children aged 5-9 years was 23% (7/30). No ocular C. trachomatis was identified by PCR. For the 72 participants (43%) with follicles, bacterial culture was positive for 11 (15%) individuals. No individual had trachomatous trichiasis.
Conclusions: Follicular conjunctivitis consistent with TF was prevalent but ocular C. trachomatis and cicatricial trachoma were absent. Non-chlamydial infections or environmental causes of follicular conjunctivitis may be causing TF in this community.
Implications for Public Health: In similar settings, reliance on simplified clinical assessment alone may lead to an overestimation of the public health problem posed by trachoma. Consideration should be given to incorporating C. trachomatis PCR, and in certain settings, a detailed clinical exam could be performed by an experienced ophthalmologist during prevalence surveys.
(© 2022 The Authors.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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