Abstract
Purpose: :
The beginning of the 21st century has witnessed reducing trend in the incidence of ocular chlamydial infections and trachoma in several endemic areas of the world. Indian data however, is still scanty due to well-designed pilot studies that could represent national data. We have been keeping a close vigil over the emerging trend of chlamydial infection in a variety of ocular and extra-ocular clinical manifestations in patients reporting to our tertiary care hospital. our extensive experience with various diagnostic tests including nucleic-acid technique (NAAT) in the recent past supports direct fluorescent antigen detection test (DFA) as a fairly rapid, reliable and cost effective method for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens.The present study was therefore, intended to monitor the incidence of ocular chlamydial infections in patients of follicular conjunctivitis during the past decade at our hospital, which is India’s one of the largest referral eye-care centre located in Delhi.
Methods: :
During the last ten years (1997 to 2007), 1034 patients (aged between 0-90 years) who were clinically diagnosed as the follicular conjunctivitis (or suspected trachoma) were sent to our laboratory for supportive diagnosis. Conjunctival scrapings from the affected eyes were subjected to direct fluorescent antigen detection test for C.trachomatis (A-C) using commercial kit (Syva Miocrotrak, USA).
Results: :
Chlamydia trachomatis antigen was detected in nearly 22-28% cases, every year, excepting 2001 and 2004 where the incidence seemed to be higher (33.3% and 37.5% respectively). Male preponderance was observed but seasonal variability was not significant.
Conclusions: :
Although, the reason for increased incidence during 2001 and 2004 is not clear, the findings of the present study may represent atleast a tentative national picture of ocular chlamydial infection in this part of India during the past decade, more-so because our hospital attracts patients virtually from all parts of India. However, an extensive community-based survey is essential to achieve the targets set under Global Alliance for Estimation of Trachoma (GET 2020) and VISION 2020.
Keywords: trachoma • conjunctivitis • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence