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Yearly Archives: 2014
Chlamydia and Blindness
Some time ago, we wrote about the devastating effects of the spread of chlamydia among the vulnerable koala bears of Australia. Since then, Australian scientists have been getting closer to the development of a vaccination for these beautiful marsupials against, what is for them, an extremely dangerous disease, sometimes rendering those infected, blind. Based on the results of a small but successful trial in Brisbane, things might be looking up for the koala bear and maybe even humans alike.
Chlamydia is still one of the most common sexually transmitted infections around today yet rates are generally consistent year after year. Apart from spreading awareness and launching STI health campaigns, there is little else we can do without a vaccine. Part of the problem is that in over 80% of cases, the infection is asymptomatic, and those who carry it spread the infection without even knowing. In koalas, the untreated infection can lead to blindness and infertility. Chlamydia also causes infertility in humans if left untreated. Other complications include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which causes infertility, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
In this promising study, 30 out of 60 koalas were vaccinated and the trial group was then observed in its natural surroundings via radio collars thereafter. It was discovered that 7/8 koalas who were suffering from an eye infection at the time of vaccination, showed improvements. In stark contrast, of the koalas who were not vaccinated, 4/6 who were suffering from eye infections, only got worse. Symptoms of the infection in koalas manifest themselves in eye infections but also as infections of the reproductive tract.
Those who were infected with the strain of chlamydia, and who were simultaneously vaccinated, did not go on to experience the full-blown infection. This is a really positive outcome considering the loss of life among this species due, not only to the spread of the chlamydia infection which, in some areas, infection rates are up at 90%, but also down to habitat loss.
Koalas and humans both respond well to antibiotic treatment but in the case of koalas, it is not feasible to treat every koala infected and maintain control over the spread. The vaccine could act as a model for a human vaccine though, a development that has been researched for decades now, but so far, to no avail. If we could use the koala vaccine as a model for the human vaccine, we could prevent the infection across a large portion of the population. The result of this study is good news for the koalas, but it inspires hope for us too.
In the meantime, partner notification, diagnoses, and successful treatments (re-testing), are the key to beating chlamydia and stymieing the spread. Telling partners will directly affect rates of diagnosis, rates that must be consistently maintained in order to gain better control over the spread of infection. You can find your local testing clinic here. If your are reluctant to attend a clinic then there are online options such as this website.
You can read more about Chlamydia and blindness here.
Smoking and Eye Health
The Stoptober campaign has been launched by Public Health England (PHE) and should so far see smokers just over their first week off the cigarettes. An ambitious project to ask the millions of smokers in Britain to give up for one whole month I think but if you can do it for a month, surely you can do it forever! I suppose that’s the inherent message. According to the PHE, it is x5 times more probable that those who break the habit for 28 days, will stay off the fags for life. Seemingly, the number of smokers in Britain dropped significantly last year after the Stoptober campaign so it’s got to be worth a go.
With 100,000 people dying from a smoke related illness each year in Britain, more importantly, 600,000 adults AND children die every year across the globe from secondhand smoking. Things really need to change and soon, but the Stoptober campaign advertises itself as the fun way to quit smoking.
The month of October also brings us World Sight Day on the 9th of October. This year the Public Health Agency (PHA) is focusing hugely on the effects of smoking on eye health. People always associate smoking with illnesses such as lung cancer or heart disease, but in fact, vision is seriously affected by smoking, even complete loss of sight is a possible side effect of smoking. The eyes are very fragile and chemicals found in cigarettes and the smoke from tobacco can interfere with the cornea, tear production, and blood vessels inside of the eye, to name but a few associated problems.
Unfortunately, stopping smoking won’t reverse any damage done to the eyes but it will stop the associated problems worsening and stave off more serious complications associated with smoking and the eyes and, overall health.
Stoptober is an exciting challenge and if you’ve missed the first few days, start now by yourself, knowing that thousands of others are in the same boat for the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. This month could be the beginning of the rest of your life.
You can read more about Stoptober here.