Chancroid

Etiology
• Caused by bacterial Haemophilus
ducreyi.
• H. ducreyi is a short, slender, gram-
negative bacillus with rounded ends.
Sign and Symptom
• Incubation period: 3 to 7 days, small, painful
papules appear and rapidly break down into
shallow, soft, painful ulcers with ragged,
undermined edges (ie, with overhanging tissue)
and a red border.
• The inguinal lymph nodes become tender,
enlarged, and matted together, forming a pus-
filled abscess (bubo).
• The skin over the abscess may become red and
shiny and may break down to form a sinus.
• The infection may spread to other areas of skin,
resulting in new lesions. Phimosis, urethral
stricture, and urethral fistula may result from
chancroid.
Diagnosis
• Clinical evaluation
• Sometimes culture or PCR
Treatment
• Antibiotics (various)
Treatment should be started promptly,
without waiting for test results. One of the
following is recommended:
• A single-dose of azithromycin 1 g po or
ceftriaxone
• Erythromycin 500 mg po qid for 7 days
• Ciprofloxacin 500 mg po bid for 3 days