Search

Abstract Serological surveillance for trachoma could allow monitoring of transmission levels in areas that have achieved elimination targets. Platforms that allow testing in basic laboratories or testing of easy-to-manage samples such as dried blood spots would contribute to the feasibility of serologic testing. Blood from 506 1–12-year-olds in 2 villages in Kongwa district, Tanzania, was tested for antibodies against the antigen Pgp3. Whole blood, plasma, and dried blood spots (DBS) were tested in lab and field settings using a cassette-enclosed Pgp3 lateral flow assay (LFA-cassette) and a pared-back "dipstick" assay (LFA-dipstick). DBS were also tested with a bead-based multiplex assay (MBA). There was no significant difference in antibody positivity between the MBA and either LFA format (ranging from 42.5% to 48.4%). Interrater agreement between an expert rater and 3 different raters in field and lab settings was uniformly good, with Cohen's kappa >0.81 in all cases. Highlights • Antibodies to the Chlamydia trachomatis antigen Pgp3 can be detected on a lateral flow test with high reproducibility. • The rapid lateral flow test measures antibodies to Pgp3 similar to highly sensitive bead-based assays. • The Pgp3 lateral flow assay has been modified to accommodate the use of dried blood spots, facilitating its use in laboratories. • Laboratory and field staff can be easily trained to read the Pgp3 lateral flow assay with good interrater agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prevention of Trachoma, the leading cause of infectious blindness, requires community treatment assistants (CTAs) to perform mass drug administration (MDA) of azithromycin. Previous research has shown that female CTAs have higher MDA coverage, but no studies have focused on the content of conversation. We hypothesize that female CTAs had more patient-centered communication and higher MDA coverage.Methods: In 2011, CTAs from 23 distribution sites undergoing MDA as part of the Partnership for Rapid Elimination of Trachoma were selected. CTA - villager interactions were audio recorded. Audio was analyzed using an adaptation of the Roter Interaction Analysis System. The outcome of interest was the proportion of adults receiving MDA in 2011 who returned in 2012.Results: 58 CTAs and 3122 interactions were included. Sites with female CTAs had significantly higher patient-centeredness ratio (0.548 vs 0.400) when compared to sites with male CTAs. Sites with more patient-centered interactions had higher proportion of patients return (p = 0.009).Conclusion: Female CTAs had higher proportion of patient-centered communication. Patient centered communication was associated with higher rates of return for MDA.Practice Implications: Greater patient-centered connection with health care providers affects participation in public health efforts, even when those providers are lay health workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinically, constant severe trachoma predicts an increased risk of scarring in children. There are no data on the risk of scarring associated with constant infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, regardless of clinical manifestation. We propose to determine the 5-year incidence of scarring in children with a history of constant severe trachoma, constant infection, or both compared with children who had a history of neither. Design: A 5-year, longitudinal observational study. Participants: Children aged less than 10 years with data on trachoma and infection for 3 of the 5 visits in the first 18 months, and follow-up 5-year data on scarring. Methods: Data were collected on clinical trachoma, and ocular swabs were taken to determine the presence of C. trachomatis in children in a hyperendemic village in Tanzania. Images were graded for scarring. Data were collected at baseline; 2, 6, 12, and 18 months; and 5 years from baseline. Severe trachoma was defined as the presence of 10 or more follicles, or trachoma intense. A child had constant infection (severe trachoma) if infection (severe trachoma) was present on at least 3 visits before the 5-year survey. Main Outcome Measures: Five-year risk of scarring. Results: Of the 189 children, 22 (11.6%) had constant severe trachoma, but not constant infection. Nine children (4.8%) had constant infection but not constant severe trachoma. Both constant severe trachoma and constant infection were present in 16 children (8.5%). The 5-year incidence of scarring was similar in all 3 groups; children with constant severe trachoma only, with constant infection only, and with both were most likely to develop scars (35.0%, 44.4%, 31.2%, respectively) compared with those with sporadic trachoma or infection (15.2%) or neither (6.8%) (P = 0.0002). Conclusions: Children with constant infection are also likely to have constant severe trachoma, and their 5-year risk of scarring is high compared with children with sporadic severe trachoma or infection. These data further support the presence of a subgroup of children who cannot clear infection with C. trachomatis, who may manifest a severe immunologic response to infection, and who are at increased risk of scarring sequelae. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]