SINGLE-DOSE AZITHROMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF TRACHOMA - A RANDOMIZED,CONTROLLED-STUDY

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of single oral-dose azithr omycin with a 7-week topical tetracycline ointment course in the treat ment of active trachoma. Methods: A total of 64 patients with active t rachoma were selected randomly to receive azithromycin (20 mg/kg) in a single dose or topical tetracycline eye ointment for 6 weeks. Clinica l assessments were made before and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after tre atment. Conjunctival scrapings were obtained before and after 24 weeks after treatment and fixed for Giemsa and direct immunofluorescence st aining. Results: Trachoma resolved in 17 (63.3%) patients who received azithromycin compared with 19 (65.4%) who were treated with tetracycl ine ointment. There were no significant differences in treatment effec t or baseline characteristics between the treatment groups. Both treat ments were well tolerated, and no adverse events were noted. Conclusio n: Single-dose azithromycin is as effective as a 6-week course of topi cal tetracycline ointment in the treatment of active trachoma. The fin dings may help establish high compliance in treating trachoma and coul d contribute to the control of trachoma worldwide.