Taylor H R, Sommer A
Rev Infect Dis. 1985 Nov-Dec;7(6):765-7. doi: 10.1093/clinids/7.6.765.
Anecdotal and historical data strongly suggest that environmental factors and hygienic practices play a major role in chlamydial transmission and the maintenance of endemic blinding trachoma. They also suggest that relatively minor alterations in these practices can have a profound impact, virtually eliminating trachoma as a blinding disease. This is especially critical, since few countries can now afford extensive, ongoing chemoprophylaxis programs. Epidemiologic studies are now needed to identify the critical risk factors in each affected culture. A recent study that used this approach found that in one region the simple hygienic practice of face washing was strongly associated with trachoma status. The next task will be to carry out appropriately designed intervention trials to establish the significance of such a factor and the possibility of altering it.
轶事性和历史性数据有力地表明，环境因素和卫生习惯在衣原体传播以及地方性致盲性沙眼的持续存在中起着主要作用。这些数据还表明，这些习惯中相对较小的改变可能会产生深远影响，几乎能消除沙眼这种致盲疾病。这一点尤为关键，因为现在很少有国家能够负担得起广泛且持续的化学预防项目。目前需要开展流行病学研究，以确定每种受影响文化中的关键风险因素。最近一项采用这种方法的研究发现，在一个地区，简单的洗脸卫生习惯与沙眼状况密切相关。接下来的任务将是开展设计合理的干预试验，以确定这样一个因素的重要性以及改变它的可能性。
