Abstract
Background: Genital ulcers are defined as breaches in the continuity of the genital mucosa and/or skin. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that cause genital ulcer disease (GUD) are syphilis, chancroid, donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), and herpes genitalis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory profiles of STI-related genital ulcers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional two-year study was conducted on patients attending the Outpatient Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy in a tertiary care center in northeastern India. Selected were 95 patients who presented themselves with STI-related genital ulcers. Detailed history taking and examination were conducted with basic tests to assist the diagnosis. Results: The male-to-female ratio was 3.32:1, and the most common site was the glans and prepuce in males (28.77%) and the labia majora and minora in females (36.36%). 96.84% of patients had superficial ulcers. The KOH mount was positive in 26 patients. The Tzanck smear was positive in 31 patients. RPR was positive in four. HIV was positive in eleven. Herpes genitalis (96.84%) was the most common GUD. Mixed STIs were attested in 41.05% of patients. Conclusion: GUD can take various forms of presentation. The available laboratory tests should be utilized. The possibility of mixed infections should always be kept in mind.
Highlights
Genital ulcers are defined as breaches in the continuity of the genital mucosa and/or skin
A clinical diagnosis may be misleading because the increasing number of HIV coinfections and mixed infections often alter the morphology of the ulcers and the textbook description of genital ulcer disease (GUD) may not always be present
Clinical diagnoses have been observed to be incorrect in around 40% of patients with GUD when compared to laboratory tests [1]
Summary
Genital ulcers are defined as breaches in the continuity of the genital mucosa and/or skin. Genital ulcer disease (GUD) may be due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis, chancroid, donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), herpes genitalis, or non-STIs, such as traumatic ulcers, Behçet’s disease, lichen planus, erythema multiforme, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, bullous diseases, Fournier gangrene, and squamous cell carcinoma [1]. A clinical diagnosis may be misleading because the increasing number of HIV coinfections and mixed infections often alter the morphology of the ulcers and the textbook description of GUD may not always be present. Clinical diagnoses have been observed to be incorrect in around 40% of patients with GUD when compared to laboratory tests [1]. Transmitted infections (STIs) that cause genital ulcer disease (GUD) are syphilis, chancroid, donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), and herpes genitalis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory profiles of STI-related genital ulcers. Selected were 95 patients who presented themselves with STI-related genital ulcers. The possibility of mixed infections should always be kept in mind
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