Case series and literature review of chlamydial ophthalmia neonatorum in Botswana.

This article focuses on 12 cases of chlamydial ophthalmia neonatorum identified in Botswana and reviews current evidence on its prevention and treatment. The cases were drawn from the "Maduo" study, which evaluated infants born to mothers with perinatal Chlamydia trachomatis infection using clinical signs and the GeneXpert CT/NG assay. Despite most infants receiving ocular 1% tetracycline prophylaxis at birth and treatment with erythromycin, a substantial proportion developed symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, indicating that current prophylactic and therapeutic measures are inadequate. The authors recommend routine antenatal screening and treatment for C. trachomatis in pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries to better prevent neonatal infection.