Chancroid (or chancroid or chancre Ducrey) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacillus of Ducrey (or Haemophilus ducreyi) characterized by an ulcerated inoculation chancre associated with lymphadenopathy (swelling of a lymph node) may suppurative.
Haemophilus ducreyi is a rod-shaped bacterium, immobile, gram negative, that is transmitted through sexual contact, demonstrated for the first time by the Italian Augusto Ducrey in 1889. It is highly contagious and does not provide immunity (can contract the disease again after healing, on the occasion of a new contaminant contact). Women are the main vectors of the disease when they carry the bacteria, because the symptoms are moderate. In humans the contrary, is very painful canker, which allows a relatively early medical consultation and minimizes contamination.
Chancroid is prevalent in tropical and subtropical, especially among prostitutes. In industrialized countries, the disease can occur associated with other STDs in populations exposed.
The disease occurs after an incubation period ranging from 24 hours to 15 days (average 5 days), a small papule Dew instead of penetration of the bacteria (usually on the penis). The lesion is rapidly moving towards a more or less extensive ulceration, pink, painful, deep, very inflammatory to the edges and sharp, jagged appearance. Unlike canker caused by syphilis, the bottom is not indurated chancre.
Canker is also very itchy (it causes intense itching), resulting in a rapid self-infection by scraping (multiple cankers in the entire genital area). The lymph nodes are later, appearing 2-3 weeks after contact. They are often unilateral, and may lead to ulceration with discharge of pus from the skin.
The identification of the bacteria can be made by microscopic examination of smears canker, more rarely by fine needle aspiration of lymphadenopathy. Giemsa or Pappenheim that identifies the germ, outside the common case of secondary infection which may require a histological examination of lymph node biopsy.
The partner should be screened and treated. The search for other associated STD (especially AIDS and syphilis) should be systematic.
The disease is mild in most cases and tends to spontaneous recovery. However, the pain and potential complications are advise antibiotic treatment. Treatment is with azithromycin (1 g. Po single dose) or ceftriaxone (250 mg intramuscular single dose).
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