Comparison of Onchocerciasis and Trachoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

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Compare and contrast Onchocerciasis and trachoma
Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trachoma are the two major diseases that
cause blindness worldwide. Obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is
responsible for causation of trachoma which is the world’s number one cause of
preventable infectious blindness (Pannekoek, et.al, 2011). Trachoma is commonly seen
in preschool-aged children but the infection reduces in frequency with advancing
age. Onchocerciasis disease is caused by infection with Onchocerca volvulus which is a
parasitic worm. It comes second after trachoma as the world’s common cause of
blindness
9World Health Organization, 2014). Onchocerciasis is commonly known as river
blindness since flies that spread it lives near rivers. Trachoma mostly affects
the eyes only but onchocerciasis not only affects the eyes but also the skin.
Chlamydia Trachomatis serotype A, B1, B2 and C are responsible
for causing trachoma. It spread through direct contact with secretions from the eye and
discharges from the nose of infected individuals. It can also be spread by flies which
have come in contact with those secretions. Shared towels and cloths may
also contribute to the spread of trachoma. Onchocerciasis is transmitted to human
beings by bites from vectors known as black flies which belong to the genus Simulium.
The black flies breed near streams and rivers.
Signs and symptoms of trachoma may include; initial irritations and itching that is
mild in the eyes and eyelids, pus discharge from the eyes, swelling of the eyelids,
sensitivity to the light and pain in the eyes. Symptoms that are painful may not up in
childhood until adulthood (Hu, et.al, 2010). Scarring of the inner eyelid may also occur
as a result of repeated infections. This may cause eyelashes to turn inward as the
disease progress such that they scratch the cornea, that is, the outer surface of the eye.
This will eventually lead to the clouding of the cornea. These signs are usually less
severe in the lower lid than the upper lid. The signs and symptoms of River blindness
include; subcutaneous nodules, inflammation on the skin that is very itchy, patchy
depigmentation on the skin (leopard skin), inflammation of the lymph node, ocular eye
lesions, eye itching, redness and swelling, and visual impairments. These