Penis & scrotum

Infectious

Chancroid



Last author update: 1 February 2010
Last staff update: 26 October 2020

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PubMed Search: Chancroid penis

Alcides Chaux, M.D.
Antonio L. Cubilla, M.D.
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Cite this page: Chaux A, Cubilla AL. Chancroid. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/penscrotumchancroid.html. Accessed March 29th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Sexually transmitted disease caused by Haemophilus ducreyi which produces a painful genital ulcer and inguinal adenopathy
Terminology
  • Dwarf chancroid: soft, painful, small ulcer
  • Giant chancroid: may extend rapidly and be associated with ruptured inguinal abscess
  • Phagedenic chancroid: may destroy external genitalia if superimposed Fusobacterium infection is present
  • Do not confuse with chancre, a lesion typical of infection with syphilis
Epidemiology
  • Mainly in developing countries, particularly Africa, Asia and Latin America
  • Associated with commercial sex workers
Etiology
  • Caused by Haemophilus ducreyi, a small gram negative rod
Clinical features
  • Painful genital ulcer associated with tender suppurative inguinal adenopathy is suggestive
  • Cofactor for HIV transmission (CDC: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006 [Accessed 28 March 2018])
  • Often culture negative because Haemophilus ducreyi is very fragile in transport
  • Molecular techniques are useful for diagnosis
  • Must rule out Treponema pallidum (serology or darkfield examination) and HSV, which may coexist
Treatment
  • Single oral dose of azithromycin or a single IM dose of ceftriaxone or oral erythromycin for seven days
Clinical images

AFIP images

Slightly raised flat disc with central ulceration



Images hosted on other servers:

Ulcers

Regional adenopathy

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Zonation phenomenon at ulcer base
  • Upper layer is ulcer base with fibrin, neutrophils and necrosis
  • Middle layer has granulation tissue, palisading blood vessels and thrombosis
  • Deep layer has marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate
Microscopic (histologic) images

Images hosted on other servers:

Gram stain

Gentian violet stain

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