Effect of azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma on spleen rates in Gambian children

Trop Med Int Health. 2014 Feb;19(2):207-11. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12234. Epub 2014 Jan 17.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of azithromycin mass drug administration regimens on spleen rates in children aged 0-5 years.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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 vs. baseline-only treatment communities and in treated vs. untreated children at 24 months in the annual treatment arm.

Conclusion: 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.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00792922.

Keywords: azithromycin; malaria; mortality; spleen; splenomegaly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azithromycin / pharmacology
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gambia
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Spleen / drug effects*
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Splenomegaly / prevention & control*
  • Trachoma / drug therapy*
  • Trachoma / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00792922