Trachoma MCQ — NEET PG Practice Question | NEETPGAI
Trachoma
easy
eye Ophthalmology
A 28-year-old woman from rural Rajasthan presents with chronic follicular keratoconjunctivitis, trichiasis, and entropion. Serological testing confirms Chlamydia trachomatis infection (serovars A–C). What is the drug of choice for treatment of active trachoma?
A. Azithromycin
B. Tetracycline eye ointment
C. Gentamicin eye drops
D. Ciprofloxacin eye drops
Explanation
Drug of Choice for Active Trachoma
Key Point
Azithromycin is the WHO-recommended first-line agent for active trachoma (TF and TI stages) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Can be given as a single-dose oral regimen (20 mg/kg once) or short course
Eradicates the pathogen and halts disease progression
Comparison with Alternatives
Table
Agent
Route
Efficacy
Limitations
Role
Azithromycin
Oral (single dose)
~95% cure
None significant
First-line
Tetracycline ointment
Topical (6 weeks)
~80% cure
Long duration, poor compliance, risk of resistance
Alternative if oral unavailable
Ciprofloxacin
Topical/oral
Moderate
Less effective than macrolides; fluoroquinolone resistance emerging
Not preferred
Gentamicin
Topical
Poor
Gram-negative coverage only; ineffective against intracellular chlamydia
Not used
High-YieldNEET PG
WHO/SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement) recommends single-dose oral azithromycin as the antibiotic pillar for elimination of trachoma in endemic regions.
Clinical Pearl
A single oral dose of azithromycin (20 mg/kg) is superior to 6 weeks of tetracycline eye ointment in terms of compliance, systemic eradication, and prevention of reinfection in household contacts.
