Conjunctival Microbiome-Host Responses Are Associated With Impaired Epithelial Cell Health in Both Early and Late Stages of Trachoma

Background Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, is the leading infectious cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Host responses to ocular chlamydial infection resulting in chronic inflammation and expansion of non-chlamydial bacteria are hypothesised risk factors for development of active trachoma and conjunctival scarring Methods Ocular swabs from trachoma endemic populations in The Gambia were selected from archived samples for...