Chancroid

Synonym(s)

Soft chancre

Definition

Sexually transmitted genital disease, caused by the gram-negative bacillus Haemophilus ducreyi, characterized by painful genital ulcers and inflammatory inguinal adenopathy

Pathogenesis

Caused by gram-negative bacillus Haemophilus ducreyi; organism produces a potent distending toxin, probably contributing to the production and slow healing of ulcers

Clinical manifestation

Disease in men: painful, erythematous papules at the site of recent sexual contact; foreskin most common site of infection, but occasionally occurring on the shaft, glans, or meatus of the penis; lesions become pustular and then ulcerate; associated with regional lymphadenopathy; constitutional symptoms, such as malaise and low-grade fevers

Disease in women: ulcers most commonly occur on the labia majora but sometimes also on the labia minora, thigh, perineum, or cervix; lesions usually less symptomatic than in men

Differential diagnosis

Syphilis; lymphogranuloma venereum; herpes...