TRACHOMA THERAPY WITH TOPICAL TETRACYCLINE AND ORAL ERYTHROMYCIN - A COMPARATIVE TRIAL

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (3) , 347-355
Abstract
Because topical antibiotic treatment has had a limited effect in previous controlled trials against trachoma, treatment with oral erythromycin was compared with topical tetracycline in 6-8 yr old children in southern Tunisia who had potentially blinding active trachoma. A total of 169 children were divided into 2 groups that were carefully matched for age, sex, locality and intensity of disease. Oral erythromycin ethyl succinate in a pediatric dosage form was administered to 1 group and topical 1% tetracycline ointment to the other group, twice daily 6 days a week for 3 wk. The 2 treatments were equivalent in effectiveness and resulted in a substantial decrease in disease intensity and a marked reduction in chlamydial infection detected in conjunctival smears. To maintain blood levels of antibiotics known to be effective in the treatment of chlamydial infections with a dosage schedule possible in a trachoma control program, 1 of the long-acting tetracyclines (doxycycline or minocycline) might be considered. Such systemic chemotherapy should be limited to selective treatment of individuals who can be adequately monitored.