Global Burden of Trachoma and Economics of the Disease

Abstract

Abstract. Interest in the economics of trachoma is high because of the refinement of a strategy to control trachomatous blindness, an ongoing global effort to eliminate incident blindness from trachoma by 2020, and an azithromycin donation program that is a component of trachoma control programs in several countries. This report comments on the economic distribution of blindness from trachoma and adds insight to published data on the burden of trachoma and the comparative costs and effects of trachoma control. Results suggest that 1) trichiasis without visual impairment may result in an economic burden comparable to trachomatous low vision and blindness so that 2) the monetary burden of trachoma may be 50% higher than conservative, published figures; 3) within some regions more productive economies are associated with less national blindness from trachoma; and 4) the ability to achieve a positive net benefit of trachoma control depends importantly on the cost per dose of antibiotic.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Thar Desert Area of Sindh

“…trachoma T (trichiasis). An estimated 10% of world's population lives in endemic areas and is more prone to develop trachoma 13 . This study was also designed in the population of Tharparkar desert area of Sindh which is most endemic area to trachoma.…”

Doyne Lecture: trachoma, is it history?

“…Productivity losses due to blindness and low vision from trachoma were estimated to be US$5.3 billion in 2003 dollars. 126 The disability due to trichiasis adds a further US$8 billion, 127 and there are additional indirect costs and the loss of well-being (or 'burden of disease') due to trachoma. Furthermore, trachoma interventions are cost-effective.…”

Development of aChlamydia trachomatisbacterial ghost vaccine to fight human blindness

“…(2) BG are non-living bacterial envelope complexes with their surface components in their natural non-denatured arrangement; (3) BG can carry additional antigens (protein or DNA encoded) which are presented to the immunesystem as particles with intrinsic adjuvant properties addressing different toll-like receptors and inducing humoral and cellular immune responses towards the BG carrier and the target antigens; (4) BG are stable in liquid suspension for several days and as freeze dried powder for several years; (5) in addition to parenteral application routes BG can be administered in needle free form either by oral, aerogenic, intra-nasal, conjunctival, rectal or intravaginal routes; (6) BG can be produced by bacterial fermentation and the technology can be transferred to developing countries easily; (7) there is a one step production process for plain BG vaccines or BG as carrier of subunit vaccine; (8) according to demand BG production can be rapidly expanded (9). The estimated costs of a BG C. trachomatis vaccine dosis is in the range which is affordable by developing countries.…”

“…7,8 Globally, this loss is estimated to be globally 2.9-3.5 billion dollars a year. 9 Trachoma is caused by repeated ocular infection with the trachoma serovars/biovars of C. trachomatis which are spread by either direct contact via eye, nose and throat secretions or via insects or fomites. Repeated infections with C. trachomatis induce chronic conjunctival inflammation with building of follicles triggering foreign body sensation and "roughness."…”