Prevalence of trachoma in chronic conjunctivitis, Birjand, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Between January 1999 and December 2000, 80 consecutive patients with chronic conjunctivitis presenting in the eye clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were assessed for trachoma and chlamydial infection. Direct fluorescent antibody test was used to assess trachoma and Giemsa staining to detect chlamydial infection. Trachoma was detected in 10% of the patients and chlamydial infection detected in 6.3%. The results were similar for both sexes. Although the findings are hospital-based, the prevalence was not so high as to suggest prophylactic use of azithromycin (World Health Organization protocol) for eradication of trachoma in the Birjand population. Further epidemiological studies are recommended.