title: Aetiology of genital ulceration in the Gambia.
abstract: The aetiology of genital ulceration was studied in 104 unselected patients (94 men, 10 women) attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in the Gambia. Chancroid was diagnosed in 54 (52%), syphilis in 23 (22%), lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in seven (7%), and herpes in six (6%). In 28 (27%) patients no diagnosis was reached. Ten (10%) patients were found to have both chancroid and syphilis, three (3%) had both LGV and syphilis, and one (1%) had both herpes and syphilis. Trimethoprim 160 mg and sulphamethoxazole 800 mg twice daily for one week was found to be effective in the treatment of chancroid. This regimen with a single intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin 2.4 MIU is recommended for the treatment of genital ulcers in Gambian health centres without laboratory facilities.
authors: Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, the Gambia.
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Mabey
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Wall
authors: C S
authors: CS
authors: Bello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002602:Chancroid / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology