%0 Journal Article
%T Can We Use Antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis as a Surveillance Tool for National Trachoma Control Programs? Results from a District Survey
%A Sheila K. West&nbsp
%A Beatriz Munoz&nbsp
%A Jerusha Weaver&nbsp
%A Zakayo Mrango&nbsp
%A Laura Dize&nbsp
%A Charlotte Gaydos&nbsp
%A Thomas C. Quinn&nbsp
%A Diana L. Martin
%J PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
%D 2016
%I Public Library of Science (PLoS)
%R 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004352
%X Background Trachoma is targeted for elimination by 2020. World Health Organization advises districts to undertake surveillance when follicular trachoma (TF) <5% in children 1每9 years and mass antibiotic administration has ceased. There is a question if other tools could be used for surveillance as well. We report data from a test for antibodies to C. trachomatis antigen pgp3 as a possible tool. Methodology We randomly sampled 30 hamlets in Kilosa district, Tanzania, and randomly selected 50 children ages 1每9 per hamlet. The tarsal conjunctivae were graded for trachoma (TF), tested for C. trachomatis infection (Aptima Combo2 assay: Hologic, San Diego, CA), and a dried blood spot processed for antibodies to C. trachomatis pgp3 using a multiplex bead assay on a Luminex 100 platform. Principal findings The prevalence of trachoma (TF) was 0.4%, well below the <5% indicator for re-starting a program. Infection was also low, 1.1%. Of the 30 hamlets, 22 had neither infection nor TF. Antibody positivity overall was low, 7.5% and increased with age from 5.2% in 1每3 year olds, to 9.3% in 7每9 year olds (p = 0.015). In 16 of the 30 hamlets, no children ages 1每3 years had antibodies to pgp3. Conclusions The antibody status of the 1每3 year olds indicates low cumulative exposure to infection during the surveillance period. Four years post MDA, there is no evidence for re-emergence of follicular trachoma.
%U http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pntd.0004352