Trichiasis associated with bacterial infection risk

Trichiasis is associated with an increased risk of bacterial infection, according to a study. "There may be a similar trend in eyes with conjunctival scarring," the study authors said.

"Conjunctival scarring is initiated by recurrent Chlamydia trachomatis infection. However, disease progression to trichiasis occurs even in regions where chlamydial prevalence is currently low, which suggests that other factors, for example other bacterial infection, may also drive inflammation and scarring, particularly in the late stages of trachoma," the authors said.

Matthew J. Burton and colleagues investigated the association of bacterial infection with trachomatous trichiasis and conjunctival scarring. Specifically, the researchers separately compared 121 trichiasis cases with 121 controls and 117 conjunctival scarring cases with 117 different controls, according to the study.

Overall, 37% of eyes with trichiasis were infected with bacteria, compared with 7% of controls (P < .001), the authors reported.

"Bacterial infection was more common with increased trichiasis severity," they noted.

In addition, 11% of eyes with conjunctival scarring were infected with bacteria, compared with 6% of controls, which was not significantly different (P = .144), according to the study.

"Bacterial infection of the conjunctiva is associated with inflammation, which may result in progressive scarring," the authors said. "Prospective studies are needed to determine the contribution of bacterial infection to disease progression. Bacterial infection probably also contributes to the development of corneal opacification."

The study is published in the October issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.