Antibiotics for Trachoma Control 

Antibiotics are used by trachoma control programmes to treat Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Our work has focused on the rational use of the antibiotic azithromycin; addressing questions such as who should be given the antibiotic? How frequently should they receive it? How many years should the antibiotic be given for? This work has contributed to an understanding of the major reservoirs of infection within endemic communities and to the current approaches for the use of antibiotics. Currently, we are conducting a large cluster randomised controlled trial in Ethiopia to examine the potential impact of using a second dose of azithromycin antibiotic, two weeks after the first in mass drug administration programmes.

Enhanced antibiotic distribution strategies and the potential impact of Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvements for the sustained control of trachoma: a modelling study

A.Pinsent, M.J.Burton and M.Gambhir

BMC Medicine, 2016, 14(1):71

Profound and sustained reduction in Chlamydia trachomatis in The Gambia: a five-year longitudinal study of trachoma endemic communities. 

M.J.Burton, M.J.Holland, P.Makalo, E.A.N.Aryee, A.Sillah, S.Cohuet, A.Natividad, N.D.E.Alexander, D.C.W.Mabey and R.L.Bailey.

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2010; 4 (10): e835

Re-emergence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection after mass antibiotic treatment of a trachoma endemic Gambian community. 

M.J.Burton, M.J.Holland, P.Makalo, E.A.N.Aryee, N.D.E.Alexander, A.Sillah, H.Faal, S.K.West, A.Foster, G.J.Johnson, D.C.W.Mabey and R.L.Bailey.

Lancet, 2005; 365: 1321-28

Which members of a community need antibiotics to control trachoma? Conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis infection load in endemic Gambian villages.

M.J.Burton, M.J.Holland, N.Faal, E.A.N.Aryee, N.D.E.Alexander, M.Bah, H.Faal, S.K.West, A.Foster, G.J.Johnson, D.C.W.Mabey and R.L.Bailey.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2003; 44(10): 4215-422

Strategies for control of trachoma: observational study with quantitative PCR.

A.W.Solomon, M.J.Holland, M.J.Burton, S.K.West, N.D.E.Alexander, A.Aguirre, P.A.Massae, H.Mkocha, B.Munoz, G.J.Johnson, R.W.Peeling, R.L.Bailey, A.Foster, D.C.W.Mabey.

Lancet, 2003; 362: 198-204