Question

Case in Point Chlamydia trachomatis is known in the United States as a frequent cause of sexually transmitted infections, but did you know that a different serotype of this organism causes blindness worldwide? The eye form of the infection is called trachoma. It is prevalent in most of the world, affecting millions each year, especially North and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The disease can be traced back to Egyptian references in 1500 B.C.E. The microorganism causes an invasion of the cornea by blood vessels. Subsequently the eye suffers scarring and light blockage, which results in blindness. Trachoma, in the United States is found mostly on Native American Indian reservations. The bacteria are easily transmitted in a family setting and will usually infect the entire household. Tetracycline eliminates the infection. So far, there is little resistance to the antibiotic. Questions 1. If the organism is easily treated, why is it so widespread in the world? 2. Why is there a higher incidence of trachoma on Native American reservations than in the rest of the country?

          Case in Point

Chlamydia trachomatis is known in the United States as a frequent cause of sexually transmitted infections, but did you know that a different serotype of this organism causes blindness worldwide? The eye form of the infection is called trachoma. It is prevalent in most of the world, affecting millions each year, especially North and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The disease can be traced back to Egyptian references in 1500 B.C.E. The microorganism causes an invasion of the cornea by blood vessels. Subsequently the eye suffers scarring and light blockage, which results in blindness. Trachoma, in the United States is found mostly on Native American Indian reservations. The bacteria are easily transmitted in a family setting and will usually infect the entire household. Tetracycline eliminates the infection. So far, there is little resistance to the antibiotic.

Questions

1. If the organism is easily treated, why is it so widespread in the world?
2. Why is there a higher incidence of trachoma on Native American reservations than in the rest of the country?

Case in Point

Chlamydia trachomatis is known in the United States as a frequent cause of sexually transmitted infections, but did you know that a different serotype of this organism causes blindness worldwide? The eye form of the infection is called trachoma. It is prevalent in most of the world, affecting millions each year, especially North and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The disease can be traced back to Egyptian references in 1500 B.C.E. The microorganism causes an invasion of the cornea by blood vessels. Subsequently the eye suffers scarring and light blockage, which results in blindness. Trachoma, in the United States is found mostly on Native American Indian reservations. The bacteria are easily transmitted in a family setting and will usually infect the entire household. Tetracycline eliminates the infection. So far, there is little resistance to the antibiotic.

Questions

1. If the organism is easily treated, why is it so widespread in the world?
2. Why is there a higher incidence of trachoma on Native American reservations than in the rest of the country?

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