Mass trachoma treatment with azithromycin feasible, effective

Researchers prospectively analyzed results from the administration of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops to a representative population sample of 2,404 children in northern Cameroon as a barometer for the effectiveness of a larger campaign to treat the entire health district (115,274 residents) for trachoma.

The prevalence of active forms of trachoma dropped from 31.5 percent before treatment to 6.3 percent one year after treatment - a reduction of nearly 80 percent. There were no reports of serious or systemic side effects. Tolerance was excellent and no treatment was interrupted.