Microbiological confirmation of a focus of active trachoma in Amerindians of Colombia, South America
Fecha de publicación: 15/12/2015

To confirm the microbiological presence of C.
trachomatis in indigenous communities of Colombia found to have
cases of active trachoma. Method: An ophthalmic evaluation was performed in order to
identify the active forms of the disease. Ocular swabs were taken
from the conjunctiva and analyzed by real-time PCR “in house” for the
detection of C. trachomatis. Positive samples were confirmed with a
commercial real time PCR and DNA sequencing. Study Design: Descriptive study.
Subjects: Children with active trachoma from different indigenous
communities in Vaupés, Colombia. Main outcome measures: Presence of C. trachomatis in conjunctival swab samples. Results: Fifteen clinical cases of active trachoma were identified
in children between one and 12 years old. A major proportion of TI
was observed, compared with TF and greater bilateral commitment of
the disease. Patients were from the indigenous communities of Santa
Catalina (73.3%), Pacuativa (20%) and Piramirí (6.7%). The presence
of C. trachomatis was confirmed in 3 (20%) patients, by real time PCR
technique “in house” and confirmatory, and validated with sequencing.
Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of C. trachomatis in
cases of active trachoma in indigenous communities of the department
of Vaupés, Colombia.