Molecular Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis among Children in Jarmai Village - Gadarif State-Sudan

Abdulsalam Abdulazeem A

Abdulsalam Abdulazeem A

Keywords: Trachoma , Chlamydia. trachomatis, PCR, Prevalence, Jarmai village

Abstract

Background: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness and it caused by ocular infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). While the majority of the global disease burden is found in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands bear a considerable burden. The World Health Organization and its partners are aiming to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2020.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of active trachoma and Chlamydia trachomatis among children in Jarmai village - Gadarif State, Sudan.

Methods: A population-based prevalence study was conducted in Jarmai village, Alrahad locality, Gadarif State, during the period from Nov 2016 to Nov 2017. A total of 509 children, whose ages ranged between 1 and 9 years old, were surveyed. Each eye was examined for trachoma follicles and trachoma inflammatory intense, (TF, and TI). Swab samples were collected from children, clinically diagnosed as suffering active trachoma, for the DNA analysis. Collections were done from the tarsal conjunctival surface with a Dacron polyester swab and with UTM media. DNA was, then, extracted and amplified by molecular technique with Touchdown protocol and primers for C. trachomatis outer membrane protein complex B, (omcB).

Result: The overall result of the 509 participants was as follows: 63 (12.4 %) were diagnosed for active trachoma, 7.0 (11.11 %) of them had follicles in the upper tarsals (TF), and showed 9 (14.29 %) had trachoma inflammatory intense (TI) and 47 (74.60 %) had the both signs of trachoma follicles and trachoma inflammatory intense (TF and TI). The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in all the children in the village was 1.8%, and from the 63 children were, those who were clinically diagnosed as active trachoma patients i.e. 9, (14.9%).

Conclusions: This study revealed that the clinical signs of active trachoma can persist even when ocular Chlamydia trachomatis, were not detected. This may be due to long lasting clinical sign or there might be another causative agent other than Clamydia Trachomatis.

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