Chancroid
Summary/Definition
A chancroid is a mild chancre, a venereal ulcer and a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by bacteria of the species Haemophilus ducreyi. Ulcers appear on the skin of the penis in men and on the vulva in women. The ulcer is characterized by purulent discharge and decreased elasticity. After infection with Haemophilus ducreyi sexually, the incubation period of the disease is 4-10 days and begins with the appearance of red papules on the genitals and quickly develops into pustules. These pustules burst, forming painful ulcers, from which pus is then released.
Symptoms
Small bumps may appear around the genitals, they may be swollen and painful, filled with pus and burst, resulting in an ulcer. Ulcers are mainly formed on the foreskin of the penis and the head of the penis in men, as well as on the labia, the vaginal opening and around the anus in women. It is characteristic that the lymph nodes in the groin area increase on one side, and can be painful, it occurs in a third of men and less often in women. Without proper treatment, the lymph nodes increase, forming formations called bubones, which spontaneously burst and pus flows out. In men, these ulcers are very painful, but in women they rarely cause symptoms and can go unnoticed.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of the pathological process is established on the basis of the isolation of Haemophilus Ducreyi from the lesion of the patient. Bacteria in the form of a safety pin can be detected by Gram staining or Giemsa staining, but the specificity of the test is low. Bacteriological sowing has a high specificity, should be carried out using special media. Histopathological examination can help in diagnosis if you observe typical results consisting of three layers: the necrotic layer, the middle layer and the deep layer.
Treatment and course of the disease
Chancroid can be completely cured with antibiotics, and the treatment period varies depending on the size of the ulcer. Take 1 g of azithromycin once or inject 250 mg of ceftriaxone once intramuscularly. Basically, short-term therapy is carried out due to good compliance, but if azithromycin or ceftriaxone are not available or are not recommended, ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice a day for 3 days or erythromycin 500 mg orally four times a day is used as palliative treatment. With the advanced form of the ulcer, it can be surgically removed. After treatment, the symptoms disappear and transmission of infection does not occur.
