Revue internationale du trachome et de pathologie oculaire tropicale et subtropicale et de sante publique : organe de la Ligue contre le trachome avec la collaboration de l'International Organization against Trachoma et des organisation...最新文献

An Giang province is one of many provinces of Mekong Delta, South of Vietnam, with 2 million people and 85% population living in the countryside for agriculture. Main causes of blindness are leucoma secondary to trachoma and mycoses (16%) closed angle glaucoma (5%) and cataract (50%). Percentage of eyes requiring ocular surgery is 0.88% of total population. 1200 patients had surgery during year 1995; as 16,000 patients are waiting for surgery, we stress that this backlog must be reduced as soon as possible. On an other hand, we intend to develop corneal transplantation.

In Senegal as well as others developing countries trachoma is a real public health problem. Entropion trichiasis is its most common and its most blinding complication. The authors made a retrospective study on 137 records of patients who underwent 199 surgical cures on a two years period. Epidemiologically, the average age is 49 years with a significative higher percentage of woman. Clinically, 51.5% of the patients had already complications, mostly on the cornea. The Trabut technique was the most used and its results was good in 82.4% cases. The authors underlined the duality of entropion trichiasis characterized by the ocular morbidity linked to the corneal damages and the simplicity of the surgical treatment which present definite advantages. Meanwhile they remind that the best treatment of the entropion trichiasis remains the prophylaxy of trachoma.

Although trachoma has either decreased or disappeared in many Third World countries through socio economic development during the past forty years, it remains a major problem among the poorest communities, which is often ignored by decision-makers when setting priorities. Fortunately, recent developments will allow to overcome many of the past obstacles and to offer new opportunities for trachoma control programmes. WHO aware of this new favourable context for trachoma control has taken the leadership in mobilizing and coordinating trachoma control efforts through the creation of a WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma. The aim of this Alliance is to assist Member States where trachoma is endemic achieve the goal of (global) elimination of trachoma by the year 2020. This is indeed possible through the combination of various interventions such as those proposed by the SAFE strategy (Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics, Face washing and Environmental changes) recommended by WHO. The prevention of trachoma and its treatment will rely largely on the efforts made by the endemic countries concerned with this problem. Therefore, new and or existing trachoma control programmes should be either implemented or strengthened at community-based level within the framework of the available primary health care systems based on the application of the SAFE strategy and on the assistance of the Alliance partners.

The aim of this work is to develop information and education methods in order to obtain better hygienic conditions in Tissint Zaouia (Moroccan province of Ouarzazate). 41% of the population is affected by trachoma with a rate of 18% of active trachoma, 1.6% of the population has a blindness of corneal origin. Topical treatment and surgery of trichiasis must be associated to a better hygiene of the community. Until now mothers and families have not fully perceived the connection between flies and insufficiency of narsing and trachoma transmission. Our specific goals are the following: A--information of target population, B--better understanding of hygiene by mothers and families, C--incitation to face-washing of children, D--perfect identification of trachoma signs by health workers, E--official integration of this program by local authority, F--evaluation of trachoma incidence.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) sérovar D through K was demonstrated with electron microscopy and biology in 114 patients with bilateral dry eyes. Long time ago latent CT was recognised in conjunctival epithelium of vernal kerato conjunctivitis patients. CT was found in conjunctival section of patients with an extinct trachoma. Aberrants forms of chlamydia bear the responsibility of this long lasting infection. Reticuled body does not product elementary bodies. It becomes an aberrant body which could remain latent during years. DIF and others classical investigations are negatives because abberrant chlamydiae have lost most part of their MOMP albeit keeping immunopathogenicity.