The main purpose of this study is to determine if ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection can
be eliminated in communities in Nepal following mass antibiotic distributions with
azithromycin. The investigators will study both clinical trachoma and ocular C. trachomatis
infection. The overall objective is to determine if the current World Health Organization
(WHO) treatment strategy results in elimination of trachoma and infection.
1. The investigators hypothesize that 24 communities in Kanchanpur, Kailali, and Achham
districts of Nepal which receive mass antibiotic treatments will achieve elimination of
trachoma as a public health problem (clinical disease <5% in children 1-9 years old)
more frequently than communities which have not received antibiotic treatments.
2. The investigators hypothesize that infection with C. trachomatis will be undetectable in
all members within a community following mass treatment as determined by the most highly
sensiti1. The investigators hypothesize that 24 communities in Kanchanpur, Kailali, and
Achham districts of Nepal which receive mass antibiotic treatments will achieve
elimination of trachoma as a public health problem (clinical disease <5% in children 1-9
years old) more frequently than communities which have not received antibiotic
treatments.
2. The investigators hypothesize that infection with C. trachomatis will be undetectable in
all members within a community following mass treatment as determined by the most highly
sensitive nucleic acid amplification testing available (mRNA-based APTIMA and DNA-based
AMPLICOR PCR).ve nucleic acid amplification testing available (mRNA-based APTIMA and
DNA-based AMPLICOR PCR).