INTRODUCTION

DEFINITION

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful open sores, or chancroids, to

develop in the genital area. It can also often cause the lymph nodes in the groin to swell and

become painful.

Having chancroid also increases the risk of developing other STIs because the sores compromise

the skin barrier and immune system.

People with chancroid should seek medical treatment as soon as they notice symptoms. Anyone

diagnosed with chancroid, or who suspects they have it, should also inform recent sexual

partners so they can get tested as soon as possible.

Chacroid is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection characterized by painful sores on the

genitalia. Chancroid is known to spread from one individual to another solely through sexual

contact. However, there have been reports of accidental infection through another route which is

by the hand.[3] While uncommon in the western world, it is the most common cause of genital

ulceration worldwide.

CAUSATIVE ORGANISM

It is cause by bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi

INCUBATION PERIOD

Most people with chancroid begin to notice symptoms between 3 and 10 days after contracting

the infection.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Chancroid is spread by sexual contact with an infected individual. The bacteria are more

likely to invade the sexual organs at the point of a pre-existing injury, such as a small cut or

scratch. The likelihood of transmission is greater if a person is very active sexually and does not

practice personal hygiene.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

The most common symptoms of chancroid are painful, red-colored bumps in the genital region

that become ulcerated, open sores.

 urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra

 pain and bleeding of the sore

 dysuria, a condition caused by urethral inflammation

 Ranges in size dramatically from 3 to 50 mm (1/8 inch to two inches) across

 Is painful

 abnormal vaginal discharge

 Has sharply defined, undermined borders

 Has irregular or ragged borders, described as saucer-shaped.

 Has a base that is covered with a gray or yellowish-gray material

 Has a base that bleeds easily if traumatized or scraped

 painful swollen lymph nodes occurs in 30 to 60% of patients.

 dysuria (pain with urination) and dyspareunia (pain with intercourse) in females
 COMPLICATION

 Extensive lymph node inflammation may develop.

 Large inguinal abscesses may develop and rupture to form draining sinus or giant ulcer.

 Superinfection by Fusarium and Bacteroides. These later require debridement and may result

in disfiguring scars.

 Phimosis can develop in long-standing lesion by scarring and thickening of foreskin, which

may subsequently require circumcision.

RISK FACTORS

The number one risk factor for contracting chancroid is through contact with the open sores of a

person who has chancroid.

Additional risk factors for contracting chancroid include:

 unprotected sexual contact or intercourse

 multiple sexual partners

 sexual contact or intercourse with a sex worker

 substance abuse

 rough intercourse

 anal intercourse

 being sexually active

DIAGNOSIS

 History taking

 Physical examination

Diagnosing the condition may involve taking samples of the fluid that drains from the sore.

These samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Diagnosing chancroid currently isn’t possible through blood testing. Your doctor may also

examine the lymph nodes in your groin for swelling and pain.

It’s important to note that chancroid can sometimes be difficult to diagnose on visual

examination alone due to its similar appearance to STIs such as genital herpes and syphilis.

These two STIs often have to be ruled out via testing prior to a diagnosis of chancroid.

TREATMENT

The doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend one of the following rounds

of antibiotic therapy for treating chancroid:

 azithromycin: 1 gram (g) orally once daily

 ceftriaxone: 250 mg intramuscular (IM) once daily

 ciprofloxacin: 500 mg orally twice daily for 3 days

It is essential to take all the medications a doctor prescribes. Chronic or untreated chancroid

infections are more difficult to treat because the bacteria can spread to other areas of the body

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful open sores, or chancroids, to

develop in the genital area. It can also often cause the lymph nodes in the groin to swell and

become painful.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Share on PinterestUsing protection during sex may prevent chancroid.

The only sure way to prevent chancroid is to avoid all sexual activities and contact. However,

total celibacy is not a realistic lifestyle choice for the majority of people.

Other ways to reduce the risk of developing chancroid include:

 limiting or reducing the number of sexual partners

 using protection during sexual contact or intercourse at all times

 regularly checking the genital region for signs of abnormal bumps, sores, or swollen

lymph nodes

 talking with sexual partners about testing for STIs or their STI status before engaging in

sexual contact

 asking sexual partners about any unusual sores or bumps in their genital region
  talking with a doctor about unexplained groin pain

 getting regular STI testing

 avoiding or limiting alcohol use and avoiding recreational drug use as these may impair

judgment in making healthy choices.

CONCLUSIONS

Chancroid remains an important cause of the genital ulceration syndrome in the tropics where

erythromycin has been the mainstay of therapy. Single dose oral azithromycin or ciprofloxacin

and intramuscular ceftriaxone regimens offer advantages in terms of improved patient

compliance. There are some data to suggest that HIV seropositive and uncircumcised patients are

more likely to fail single dose therapeutic regimens and so these groups of patients need more

intensive follow up. WHO recommended syndromic management for genital ulceration includes

therapy for both chancroid and syphilis. In those parts of the world where diagnostic facilities

exist, the diagnosis of chancroid is normally made by laboratory culture of H ducreyi. The more

sensitive DNA amplification techniques remain research tools at the present time.
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