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Ghasemian E, Faal N, Pickering H, Sillah A, Breuer J, Bailey RL, Mabey D, Holland MJ. Genomic insights into local-scale evolution of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis strains within and between individuals in Gambian trachoma-endemic villages. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001210. [PMID: 38445851 PMCID: PMC10999739 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serovars A-C, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for over 86 % of global trachoma cases. We investigated Ct serovar A (SvA) and B (SvB) whole genome sequences prior to the induction of mass antibiotic drug administration in The Gambia. Here, we explore the factors contributing to Ct strain diversification and the implications for Ct evolution within the context of ocular infection. A cohort study in 2002-2003 collected ocular swabs across nine Gambian villages during a 6 month follow-up study. To explore the genetic diversity of Ct within and between individuals, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on a limited number (n=43) of Ct-positive samples with an omcB load ≥10 from four villages. WGS was performed using target enrichment with SureSelect and Illumina paired-end sequencing. Out of 43 WGS samples, 41 provided sufficient quality for further analysis. ompA analysis revealed that 11 samples had highest identity to ompA from strain A/HAR13 (NC_007429) and 30 had highest identity to ompA from strain B/Jali20 (NC_012686). While SvB genome sequences formed two distinct village-driven subclades, the heterogeneity of SvA sequences led to the formation of many individual branches within the Gambian SvA subclade. Comparing the Gambian SvA and SvB sequences with their reference strains, Ct A/HAR13 and Ct B/Jali20, indicated an single nucleotide polymorphism accumulation rate of 2.4×10-5 per site per year for the Gambian SvA and 1.3×10-5 per site per year for SvB variants (P<0.0001). Variant calling resulted in a total of 1371 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with a frequency >25 % in SvA sequences, and 438 SNVs in SvB sequences. Of note, in SvA variants, highest evolutionary pressure was recorded on genes responsible for host cell modulation and intracellular survival mechanisms, whereas in SvB variants this pressure was mainly on genes essential for DNA replication/repair mechanisms and protein synthesis. A comparison of the sequences between observed separate infection events (4-20 weeks between infections) suggested that the majority of the variations accumulated in genes responsible for host-pathogen interaction such as CTA_0166 (phospholipase D-like protein), CTA_0498 (TarP) and CTA_0948 (deubiquitinase). This comparison of Ct SvA and SvB variants within a trachoma endemic population focused on their local evolutionary adaptation. We found a different variation accumulation pattern in the Gambian SvA chromosomal genes compared with SvB, hinting at the potential of Ct serovar-specific variation in diversification and evolutionary fitness. These findings may have implications for optimizing trachoma control and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Harry Pickering
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ansumana Sillah
- National Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, Kanifing, Gambia
| | - Judith Breuer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - David Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Shafi Abdurahman O, Last A, Macleod D, Habtamu E, Versteeg B, Dumessa G, Guye M, Nure R, Adugna D, Miecha H, Greenland K, Burton MJ. Trachoma risk factors in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011679. [PMID: 37934731 PMCID: PMC10629622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness, is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Despite enormous disease control efforts and encouraging progress, trachoma remains a significant public health problem in 44 countries. Ethiopia has the greatest burden of trachoma worldwide, however, robust data exploring transmission risk factors and the association between socio-economic status is lacking from some regions. This is the first study to investigate these factors in this South-Eastern region of Oromia, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 1211 individuals were enrolled from 247 households in Shashemene Rural district in Oromia Region between 11th April and 25th June 2018, of whom 628 (51.9%) were female and 526 (43.4%) were children aged 1-9 years. Three standardised ophthalmic nurses examined each participant for the presence of active trachoma using the WHO simplified trachoma grading system. Conjunctival swab samples were collected from the upper tarsal conjunctiva of the left eye of each participant. Ct was detected using quantitative PCR. Risk factor data were collected through structured interviews and direct observations. Clinical signs of trachomatous inflammation-follicular among children aged 1-9 (TF1-9) were observed in at least one eye of 106/526 (20.2%) and trachomatous inflammation-intense among children aged 1-9 (TI1-9) were observed in at least one eye of 10/526 (1.9%). We detected Ct by PCR in 23 individuals, of whom 18 (78.3%) were in children aged 1-9 years. Among the 106 children aged 1-9 years with TF, 12 (11.3%) were Ct PCR positive and among 20 children aged 1-9 years with TI, 4 (20.0%) were Ct PCR positive. In a multivariable model, adjusting for household clustering, active trachoma was associated with younger age, the poorest households (aOR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.21-5.51), presence of flies on the face (aOR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.69-6.46), and ocular discharge (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.03-3.24). Pre-school children face washing more than once a day had lower odds of having active trachoma (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.19-0.84). The same was true for washing children's clothing at least once per week (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.33-1.02). CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Younger age, personal hygiene in this age group (presence of ocular and nasal discharges, infrequent washing of faces and clothing) and fly-eye contacts are potential risk factors for trachoma in this setting, suggesting that hygiene interventions and environmental improvements are required to suppress transmission to ensure sustained reduction in disease burden Further studies are needed to evaluate these interventions for trachoma control and elimination. Trachoma remains a disease associated with lower socio-economic status, emphasising the need for continued implementation of control measures in addition to poverty reduction interventions in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oumer Shafi Abdurahman
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Fred Hollows Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Anna Last
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Macleod
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Esmael Habtamu
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bart Versteeg
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Meseret Guye
- The Fred Hollows Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rufia Nure
- The Fred Hollows Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Adugna
- Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hirpha Miecha
- Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Katie Greenland
- Environmental Health Group, Department for Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical. Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
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Goodhew EB, Taoaba R, Harding-Esch EM, Gwyn SE, Bakhtiari A, Butcher R, Cama A, Guagliardo SAJ, Jimenez C, Mpyet CD, Tun K, Wickens K, Solomon AW, Martin DL, Tekeraoi R. Changes in trachoma indicators in Kiribati with two rounds of azithromycin mass drug administration, measured in serial population-based surveys. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011441. [PMID: 37418501 PMCID: PMC10355439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Baseline mapping in the two major population centers of Kiribati showed that trachoma was a public health problem in need of programmatic interventions. After conducting two annual rounds of antibiotic mass drug administration (MDA), Kiribati undertook trachoma impact surveys in 2019, using standardized two-stage cluster surveys in the evaluation units of Kiritimati Island and Tarawa. In Kiritimati, 516 households were visited and in Tarawa, 772 households were visited. Nearly all households had a drinking water source and access to an improved latrine. The prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis remained above the elimination threshold (0.2% in ≥15-year-olds) and was virtually unchanged from baseline. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in 1-9-year-olds decreased by approximately 40% from baseline in both evaluation units but remained above the 5% TF prevalence threshold for stopping MDA. TF prevalence at impact survey was 11.5% in Kiritimati and 17.9% in Tarawa. Infection prevalence in 1-9-year-olds by PCR was 0.96% in Kiritimati and 3.3% in Tarawa. Using a multiplex bead assay to measure antibodies to the C. trachomatis antigen Pgp3, seroprevalence in 1-9-year-olds was 30.2% in Kiritimati and 31.4% in Tarawa. The seroconversion rate, in seroconversion events/100 children/year, was 9.0 in Kiritimati and 9.2 in Tarawa. Seroprevalence and seroconversion rates were both assessed by four different assays, with strong agreement between tests. These results show that, despite decreases in indicators associated with infection at impact survey, trachoma remains a public health problem in Kiribati, and provide additional information about changes in serological indicators after MDA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma M. Harding-Esch
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E. Gwyn
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta Georgia
| | - Ana Bakhtiari
- International Trachoma Initiative, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Robert Butcher
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Caleb D. Mpyet
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos; Jos, Nigeria, and Sightsavers, Nigeria Country Office, Kaduna, Nigeria
| | - Kab Tun
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, South Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Karana Wickens
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Anthony W. Solomon
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rabebe Tekeraoi
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, South Tarawa, Kiribati
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Mosenia A, Haile BA, Shiferaw A, Gebresillasie S, Gebre T, Zerihun M, Tadesse Z, Emerson PM, Callahan EK, Zhou Z, Lietman TM, Keenan JD. When the Neighboring Village is Not Treated: Role of Geographic Proximity to Communities Not Receiving Mass Antibiotics for Trachoma. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1038-1042. [PMID: 36477547 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass administration of azithromycin is an established strategy for decreasing the prevalence of trachoma in endemic areas. However, nearby untreated communities could serve as a reservoir that may increase the chances of chlamydia reinfection in treated communities. METHODS As part of a cluster-randomized trial in Ethiopia, 60 communities were randomized to receive mass azithromycin distributions and 12 communities were randomized to no treatments until after the first year. Ocular chlamydia was assessed from a random sample of children per community at baseline and month 12. Distances between treated and untreated communities were assessed from global positioning system coordinates collected for the study. RESULTS The pretreatment prevalence of ocular chlamydia among 0 to 9 year olds was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39%-47%), which decreased to 11% (95% CI, 9%-14%) at the 12-month visit. The posttreatment prevalence of chlamydia was significantly higher in communities that were closer to an untreated community after adjusting for baseline prevalence and the number of mass treatments during the year (odds ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.03-1.22] for each 1 km closer to an untreated community). CONCLUSIONS Mass azithromycin distributions to wide, contiguous geographic areas may reduce the likelihood of continued ocular chlamydia infection in the setting of mass antibiotic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman Mosenia
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Teshome Gebre
- The Carter Center Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- International Trachoma Initiative, The Taskforce for Global Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhaoxia Zhou
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas M Lietman
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeremy D Keenan
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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Lord MG. In Defense of Mothers: Why Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Should Be Included in Mass Drug Administration Programs. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2022; 31:1219-1221. [PMID: 35944263 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass drug administration (MDA) programs are a critical component of efforts to treat and eliminate trachoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the importance of these programs for individual and community health, pregnant and breastfeeding women have historically been excluded from treatment in these programs. Countries with active MDA programs also tend to have high fertility rates, and thus women may be left untreated for years at a time. Not only do these women suffer from the symptoms of disease (pain and eventual blindness), but also failure to include the entire population in drug administration programs leaves pockets of infection in the community, risking outright failure of eradication efforts. The medication used most commonly, azithromycin, appears to be safe for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The time has come to include pregnant and breastfeeding women in MDA programs, not just for them, but also for their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Lord
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Emergence of Novel Chlamydia trachomatis Sequence Types among Chlamydia Patients in the Republic of Belarus. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020478. [PMID: 35208932 PMCID: PMC8876968 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a major cause of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of clinical samples from random heterosexual chlamydia patients who were either asymptomatic or reported clinical manifestations of genital chlamydiosis (n = 63) in each of the seven major regions of the Republic of Belarus in 2017–2018 revealed 12 different CT sequence types (STs). We found seven known STs, ST4, ST6, ST9, ST13, ST38, ST95 and ST110, and five novel variants, namely ST271–ST275, which have not been detected elsewhere thus far. The ST4 variant was predominant (27/63, 42.9%) and detected in six out of seven regions. The two most common STs, ST9 and ST13, were regularly seen in four out of seven regions. In contrast, the remaining STs, ST6, ST38, ST95, ST110, and novel STs271-275, surfaced randomly in different parts of the country. The emergence of novel STs was registered in two regions, namely Minsk (ST271 and ST275) and Brest (ST271, ST272, ST273, and ST274). All the STs of detected CT strains were clustered into two Groups, I and III, which are characteristic of CT urogenital strains. No STs typical for Group II, specific to the LGV strains, were revealed. Our study contributes to better understanding the genetic diversity and molecular evolution of CT, one of the most important pathogens in public health worldwide.
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Xiong T, Yue Y, Li WX, Choonara I, Qazi S, Chen HJ, Tang J, Shi J, Wang H, Zeng LN, Xia B, Qiao LN, Qu Y, Mu DZ. Effectiveness of azithromycin mass drug administration on trachoma: a systematic review. Chin Med J (Engl) 2021; 134:2944-2953. [PMID: 34665571 PMCID: PMC8710348 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000001717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Azithromycin mass drug administration (MDA) is a key part of the strategy for controlling trachoma. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively summarize the present studies of azithromycin MDA on trachoma; provide an overview of the impact of azithromycin MDA on trachoma in different districts; and explore the possible methods to enhance the effectiveness of azithromycin MDA in hyperendemic districts. METHODS PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to February 2021 with no language restriction. Studies reporting the effect of azithromycin MDA on trachoma were included. Mathematical modeling studies, animal studies, case reports, and reviews were excluded. The trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) <5.0% was used to judge the effect of azithromycin MDA on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. Two researchers independently conducted the selection process and risk of bias assessment. RESULTS A total of 1543 studies were screened, of which 67 studies including 13 cluster-randomized controlled trials and 54 non-randomized studies were included. The effect of azithromycin MDA on trachoma was closely related to the baseline prevalence in districts. For the districts with baseline prevalence between 5.0% and 9.9%, a single round of MDA achieved a TF <5.0%. For the districts with baseline between 10.0% and 29.9%, annual MDA for 3 to 5 years reduced TF <5.0%. However, for the districts with high level of baseline prevalence (TF >30.0%), especially with baseline TF >50.0%, annual MDA was unable to achieve the TF <5.0% even after 5 to 7 years of treatment. Quarterly MDA is more effective in controlling trachoma in these hyperendemic districts. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin MDA for controlling trachoma depends on the baseline prevalence. The recommendation by the World Health Organization that annual MDA for 3 to 5 years in the districts with TF baseline >10.0% is not appropriate for all eligible districts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yan Yue
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Wen-Xing Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Imti Choonara
- Academic Division of Child Health, University of Nottingham, Derbyshire Children's Hospital, Derby, UK
| | - Shamim Qazi
- Department of Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hong-Ju Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jun Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Li-Nan Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Bin Xia
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Li-Na Qiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - De-Zhi Mu
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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Williams LB, Prakalapakorn SG, Ansari Z, Goldhardt R. Impact and Trends in Global Ophthalmology. CURRENT OPHTHALMOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 8:136-143. [PMID: 32837802 PMCID: PMC7306491 DOI: 10.1007/s40135-020-00245-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Our goal is to provide a review of the impact, global estimates, and projection of vision impairment as well as ongoing systems for eye care delivery. Recent Findings Many of the blinding diseases in developing countries are preventable or curable, but the lack of ophthalmologists, the lack of education, and the lack of access to any eye care are some of the major obstacles encountered. Summary As our world becomes more interconnected through globalization, the interactions between different cultures and populations increase. Global ophthalmology is a field dedicated to building sustainable eye care delivery systems to deliver high-quality care in minimal resource settings, with the aim of reducing blindness around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd B. Williams
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - S. Grace Prakalapakorn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Zubair Ansari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th St, Office #275, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Raquel Goldhardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th St, Office #275, Miami, FL 33136 USA
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