Effect of azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma on spleen rates in Gambian children. Issue 2 (17th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hart, John D.; Edwards, Tansy; Burr, Sarah E.; Harding‐Esch, Emma M.; Takaoka, Kensuke; Holland, Martin J.; Sillah, Ansumana; Mabey, David C. W.; Bailey, Robin L.
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 19:Issue 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2014-01-17
• Subjects: Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tmi12234-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="tmi12234-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To assess the effect of azithromycin mass drug administration regimens on spleen rates in children aged 0–5 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12234-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Clinical assessment of spleen size was carried out during a cluster‐randomised trial of azithromycin mass treatment for trachoma elimination in The Gambia. Twenty‐four communities received three annual mass treatments with azithromycin, and 24 communities received treatment at baseline only.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12234-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>At the 30‐month follow‐up, 3646 children aged 0–5 years had spleen examination and measurement. Palpable splenomegaly was significantly lower in annually treated <italic>vs</italic>. baseline‐only treatment communities and in treated <italic>vs</italic>. untreated children at 24 months in the annual treatment arm.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12234-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The results suggest an effect of azithromycin on spleen rates at the individual level and are most plausibly due to the antimalarial effects of azithromycin.</p> </sec> </abstract>