Chlamydial Ophthalmia Neonatorum in Central Africa

Meheus, A; Delgadillo, R. A.; Widy-Wirski, R.; Piot, Peter

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(82)90850-9

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This figure is comparable with that found in industrialised countries, where an incidence between 0.8 % and 3 % has been found [14,15]. The incidence of 1.8% found in Bangui in the Central African Republic is of the same order [6]. In two studies in Africa higher figures are reported.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Chlamydia ophthalmia neonatorum in Cameroon

et al. 1988

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the Ndoungué Hospital in Cameroon 449 new-born babies were examined for a month to check on the occurrence of ophthalmia neonatorum. Silver nitrate eyedrops 1% were applied at birth. The incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum was 19.4%; Chlamydia was found in 8 cases (incidence 1.8%) and gonococci in 4 cases (0.9%). Chemical conjunctivitis was suspected in 13 cases (2.9%). Slight conjunctivitis was seen in 68 cases and severe conjunctivitis in 19 cases (4.2%). A sexually transmitted agent was demonstrated in 6% of the slight cases and in 42% of the severe cases. Ophthalmia neonatorum due to Chlamydia was significantly more frequently severe and without specific features than those due to other agents. Although silver nitrate is still considered to be one of the most effective prophylactic measures for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, in 4 cases this disease still developed. Silver nitrate is ineffective against Chlamydia and is also often the cause of a chemical conjunctivitis. The search is advocated for more efficient medicines in Africa which are effective against both Chlamydia and resistant gonoccoci.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Chlamydia ophthalmia neonatorum in Cameroon

et al. 1988

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Incidence rates of 1 to 24% have been reported [2,8,17,31,35]. Similar rates have been found elsewhere in Africa [27,29]. The incidence rates for gonococcal ON are of 0.04 per iO00 live births per year in Belgium and the Netherlands [5], 0.3 per 1000 in the US [24] but 40 per 1000 in Kenya [26].…”

Section: Epidemiologysupporting

confidence: 63%

Neonatal ophthalmia in the developing world

Fransen

Klauß

1988

Int Ophthalmol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the 19th century, the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis varied between 1 and 14% in Europe, and the disease was a main cause of blindness at that time. Since then the epidemiology of ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) has changed and Chlamydia trachomatis is more frequent than Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Both are still very common causes of ON in the developing world. ON can not be differentiated clinically as to the etiology, but Intracellular Gram Negative Diplococci (IGND) on a Gram stain of an eye smear has an excellent validity and further differentiation can be made using microbiological cultures. All cases of presumed gonococcal conjunctivitis must be treated with effective systemic antibiotics. Systemic treatment with penicillin can still be used in areas where the percentage of beta-lactamase producing strains of gonococci is very low. For other areas a single dose of ceftriaxone intramuscular combined with saline eye washes is the treatment of choice. Chlamydial ON necessitates also systemic treatment with erythromycin. Parents of infants with gonococcal or chlamydia ON also need to be examined and treated. Prevention of gonococcal and chlamydial disease can be done following 3 strategies: antenatal diagnosis and treatment of maternal infections or disinfection of the infants eyes at birth or adequate treatment of infants and parents as soon as a ON has been diagnosed. Crédé's eye prophylaxis with silver nitrate has become a controversial issue, because of concern about the occurrence of chemical conjunctivitis and its ineffectiveness against infections with C. trachomatis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

show abstract

“…29 Meheus et al found a 9 7% incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum in Bangui, 26% of cases being due to N gonorrhoeae and 19% to C trachomatis. 30 The incidence of other diseases due to C trachomatis among neonates, such as pneumonitis, is not known and is currently under investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%