Characterizing trachoma elimination using serology
Author(s)
Pearl Anne Ante-Testard
Sarah Gwyn
Seth Blumberg
Zeinab Abdalla
Kristen Aiemjoy
Abdou Amza
Solomon Aragie
Ahmed M. Arzika
Marcel S Awoussi
Robin L. Bailey
Robert Butcher
E. Kelly Callahan
David Chaima
Adisu Abebe Dawed
Martha Idalí Saboyá-Díaz
Abou-Bakr Sidik Domingo
Chris Drakeley
Belgesa E Elshafie
Paul M. Emerson
Kimberly Fornace
Katherine Gass
E. Brook Goodhew
Jaouad Hammou
Emma M. Harding‐Esch
PJ Hooper
Boubacar Kadri
Khumbo Kalua
Sarjo Kanyi
Mabula Kasubi
Amir Bedri Kello
Robert Ko
Patrick J. Lammie
Andrés G. Lescano
Ramatou Maliki
Michael Masika
Stephanie J Migchelsen
Beido Nassirou
John M. Nesemann
Nishanth Parameswaran
William Pomat
Kristen K. Renneker
Chrissy h. Roberts
Prudence Rymil
Eshetu Sata
Laura Senyonjo
Fikre Seife
Ansumana Sillah
Oliver Sokana
Ariktha Srivathsan
Zerihun Tadesse
Fasihah Taleo
Emma Michelle Taylor
Rabebe Tekeraoi
Kwamy Togbey
Sheila K. West
Karana Wickens
Timothy William
Dionna M. Wittberg
Dorothy Yeboah‐Manu
Mohammed Youbi
Tàye Zeru
Jeremy D. Keenan
Thomas M. Lietman
Anthony W. Solomon
Scott D. Nash
Diana L. Martin
Benjamin F. Arnold
Date Issued
1 de julio de 2025
Type
Article
Volume
16
Issue
1
Start Page
5545
End Page
5545
Abstract
Trachoma is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Measurement of IgG antibodies in children is being considered for surveillance and programmatic decision-making. There are currently no programmatic guidelines based on serology, which represents a generalizable problem in seroepidemiology and disease elimination. Here, we collate Chlamydia trachomatis Pgp3 and CT694 IgG measurements from 48 serosurveys across Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands (41,168 children ages 1-5 years) and propose a novel approach to estimate the probability that population C. trachomatis transmission is below or above levels requiring ongoing programmatic action. We determine that trachoma programs could halt control measures with >90% certainty when seroconversion rates (SCRs) are ≤2.2 per 100 person-years. Conversely, SCRs ≥4.5 per 100 person-years correspond with >90% certainty that further control interventions are needed. More extreme SCR thresholds correspond with higher levels of confidence of elimination (lower SCR) or ongoing action needed (higher SCR). This study demonstrates a robust approach for using trachoma serosurveys to guide elimination program decisions.
Subjects