Chancroid ( also known as soft chancre) is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi
Characterized by the formation of small, painful ulcers on the genitalia
Swollen, painful lymph glands or inguinal buboes in the groin area are often associated with chancroid
If left untreated, chancroid may facilitate the transmission of HIV
Types
The ulcer begins as a tender, elevated bump, or papule, that becomes a pus-filled, open sore with eroded or ragged edges
The ulcer is soft to the touch (unlike a syphilis chancre that is hard or rubbery). The term soft chancre is frequently used to describe the chancroid sore
The ulcers can be very painful in men
Because chancroid is often asymptomatic in women, they may be unaware of the lesion(s)
Painful lymph glands may occur in the groin, usually only on one side; however, they can occur on both sides
Investigation
Gram stain – scrapings from the base of the ulcer may show clusters of gram-negative rods
Culturing
PCR
Treatments
A single oral dose of Azithromycin or a single IM dose of Ceftriaxone or oral erythromycin for 7 days
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