What organisms cause trachoma?
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What organisms cause trachoma?
Trachoma is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness of infectious origin 1. Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, trachoma is easily spread through direct personal contact, shared towels and cloths, and flies that have come in contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person.
What is the other name for trachoma?
| Trachoma | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Granular conjunctivitis, blinding trachoma, Egyptian ophthalmia |
| Surgical repair of in-turned eyelid and eyelashes resulting from trachoma | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Eye pain, blindness |
What is the scientific name of trachoma?
Trachoma (truh-KOH-muh) is a bacterial infection that affects your eyes. It’s caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
What type of organism is Chlamydia trachomatis?
Chlamydia trachomatis is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. Humans are its exclusive natural host.
Is trachoma common in Australia?
Australia remains the only developed country to have endemic levels of trachoma (a prevalence of 5\% or greater among children) in some regions. Endemic trachoma in Australia is found predominantly in remote and very remote Aboriginal communities.
WHO trachoma safe?
The SAFE strategy aims to stop the spread of blinding trachoma through surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvements.
Where is trachoma endemic?
Trachoma is one of the leading infectious causes of preventable blindness and is endemic in many of the rural, poor, and remote areas of countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and the Middle East.
How trachoma is diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose trachoma through a physical examination or by sending a sample of bacteria from your eyes to a laboratory for testing. But lab tests aren’t always available in places where trachoma is common.
What type of organism is gonorrhea?
What is gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. N. gonorrhoeae infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men.
Is syphilis a bacteria?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on the genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.
Is trachoma pink eye?
Trachoma is a chronic conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is characterized by progressive exacerbations and remissions. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Initial symptoms are conjunctival hyperemia, eyelid edema, photophobia, and lacrimation.
How is trachoma treated?
Medications. In the early stages of trachoma, treatment with antibiotics alone may be enough to eliminate the infection. Your doctor may prescribe tetracycline eye ointment or oral azithromycin (Zithromax). Azithromycin appears to be more effective than tetracycline, but it’s more expensive.