By Anna Melton http://go-near.org/?p=172

Trachoma is a contagious bacterial infection in the eye which causes blindness after multiple reinfections.

Trachomatous inflammation-follicular http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_documents/en/index.html

The bacteria infects the conjunctival covering which leads to irritation and inflammation.

Normal conjunctival covering
Infected conjunctival covering http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_documents/en/index.html

Trachomatous inflammation-follicular and intense http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_documents/en/index.html

Trachomatous scarring http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_documents/en/index.html

Eventually, the eyelid will turn inward causing the eyelashes to scar the cornea.

Trachomatous trichiasis http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_docu ments/en/index.html

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium
Chlamydia trachomatis http://www.microbelibrary.org/library/gram-stain/3089-examination-of-gram-stains-ofcervical-and-urethral-discharges

1.Elementary body (EB) attaches to surface of cell.
2. Elementary body enters by endocytosis.
3. Elementary body enters endosome.
4. Elementary bodies reorganize into reticulate bodies (RB). http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/chlamyd.htm

5. Reticulate bodies (RB) replicate.
6. Reticulate bodies (RB) reorganize into
Elementary bodies (EB)
7. Both RB and
EB reside in inclusion granule.
8. Reverse endocytosis http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/chlamyd.htm

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer
/chlamyd.htm
http://chlamydiae.com/twiki/bin/view
/Cell_Biology/GrowthCycle

Chlamydia trachomatis is spread through direct contact with an infected person. http://anglicansablaze.blogspot.com/

http://bjo.bmj.com/content/88/6/750.full

Poor sanitation, dirty water, and lack of hygiene are causes of trachoma. http://sitemaker.umich.edu/aqua/home

Thus trachoma primarily affects developing countries in Africa and Asia. https://apps.who.int/pbd/trachoma/MAPS.htm

Trachoma binds a family to the cycle of poverty.
Child Mother Father
Will likely develop blinding trachoma as an adult daughter must drop out of school to take care of family
Unable to work increasing financial troubles

Trachoma affects the eye in five stages that can be diagnosed through an eye examination. http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jan/06/preventblindness-trachoma-poor-countries-2020

http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/tra choma_documents/en/index.html

The early stages are easily treated by one dose of Zithromax or by topical application of Achromycin. http://allpills.biz/order-zithromaxonline-en.html
http://www.sightsavers.org/blogs/insights/archana_patel/16594.html

Zithromax inhibits protein synthesis by disrupting mRNA translation http://pharmacologycorner.com/protein-synthesis-inhibitors-macrolides-mechanism-ofaction-animation-classification-of-agents/

http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/trachoma_documents/en/index.html

http://www.cbmuk.org.uk/our-work/campaign/nicodems-story-NTDs-trachoma

www.sightsavers.org/images/content/17857

http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2011/06/effort_to_eliminate_trachoma.html

http://fiaintl.org/fiaintl/myweb.php?hls=10021&id=7

WHO launched Global Elimination of
Trachoma 2020 (GET).
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar ticle&id=6668%3Aq16th-meeting-of-the-who-alliance-for-theglobal-elimination-of-blinding-trachoma-get-by-
2020q&catid=4451%3Ahsd0108m-neglected-d-trachoma-meeting-
&lang=en trachoma.org/global-strategy-2020-INSight

Although surgery to reverse the effects of trichiasis is free or low cost in developing countries, the number of cases operated has grown less than anticipated.

Saul N. Rajak, et al. asked “Why Do
People Not Attend for Treatment for
Trachomatous Trichiasis in Ethiopia? A
Study of Barriers to Surgery”

They concluded “that a locally delivered outreach campaign providing free or low-cost surgery would overcome or reduce the three most common barriers…” http://www.sightsavers.org/about_us/default.ht
ml http://www.sightsavers.org/our_wo rk/how_we_help/health/causes_of_ blindness/trachoma/16916.html

Sources
Rajak SN, Habtamu E, Weiss HA, Bedri A, Zerihun M, et al. (2012) Why Do People Not Attend for Treatment for
Trachomatous Trichiasis in Ethiopia? A Study of Barriers to Surgery. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6(8): e 1766. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001766
Schlosser , K. (n.d.). Trachoma Matters. Retrieved from http://trachoma.org/sites/default/files/guidesandmanuals/History%20of%20Trachoma%20by%20Katherine%20Sch losser.pdf
Trachoma Control: A guide for programme managers. (2006). Retrieved from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2006/9241546905_eng.pdf
Trachoma. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trachoma/DS00776/METHOD=print
Weinstock , F. J. (2011). Trachoma. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/trachoma/article.htm
Prevention and Blindness and Visual Impairment. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/blindness/en/
About Trachoma. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.trachomacoalition.org/about-trachoma
Priority eye diseases . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index2.html
Weekly Epidemiological Record. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/wer/2012/wer8717.pdf
Water-related Diseases . (2001). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/trachoma/en/
International Trachoma Initiative. (2011). BBC Trachoma Documentary. Retrieved from: http://trachoma.org/features/multimedia/video/bbc-trachoma-documentary
Trachoma Grading Card . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/blindness/publications/trachoma_english.jpg