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Latency in Human Infections with Tric Agents¹

From the Department of Microbiology and F. I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94122

Abstract

Direct immunofluorescent staining of conjunctival cells is, at present, the most sensitive method for the detection of TRIC agents. Detailed evidence for the specificity of the method is provided. By means of immunofluorescent staining, TRIC agents can be detected in specimens from the eye of many individuals who do not exhibit current clinical activity of trachoma or inclusion conjunctivitis. Examples from spontaneously infected individuals and from experimental infection in volunteers support the belief that latent infection with TRIC agents is commonplace and may occupy an important role in the natural history of these infections which involve many millions of people. We propose that the clinical signs of activity in trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis do not adequately reflect the presence of the infectious agent. Future considerations of diagnosis, treatment and control must include subclinical infection and latency of TRIC agents.

Footnotes

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NB 00604), and from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and by a Research Career Development Award (1 K 3 NB 31, 781) to C.R.D.

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				A. W. Solomon, R. W. Peeling, A. Foster, and D. C. W. Mabey Diagnosis and Assessment of Trachoma Clin. Microbiol. Rev., October 1, 2004; 17(4): 982 - 1011. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]