Reducing azithromycin use to eliminate trachoma
Azithromycin Reduction to Reach Elimination of Trachoma
This study is looking at whether we can safely stop giving the antibiotic azithromycin in communities with trachoma, a condition that can cause blindness, when the infection rate is up to 20% instead of the current limit of 5%, to help use resources better and work towards getting rid of trachoma for good.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10841520 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to effectively reduce the use of azithromycin in communities affected by trachoma, a leading cause of blindness. It aims to determine if treatment can be safely stopped in areas where the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) is up to 20%, rather than the current guideline of 5%. The study will involve community randomized controlled trials and diagnostic tests to find better indicators of trachoma transmission and infection. By doing so, it seeks to optimize antibiotic distribution and resources while aiming for the eradication of trachoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and young individuals living in communities with a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) between 5% and 20%.
Not a fit: Patients living in areas with a TF prevalence below 5% or those who do not have trachoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient use of antibiotics and potentially eliminate trachoma as a public health issue in affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that mass azithromycin distribution significantly reduces trachoma prevalence, but this approach of adjusting treatment thresholds is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oldenburg, Catherine Elizabeth — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Oldenburg, Catherine Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.