title: [Diagnosis and therapy of genitoanal ulcers of infectious etiology].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this review article the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of genital ulcers of infectious etiology are highlighted. Besides frequent causative infections rare but relevant diseases in the differential diagnosis are discussed in detail.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Pubmed literature search was carried out, guidelines from different task groups and clinical experiences are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infections with herpes simplex virus (first) and syphilis (second) are still the most common causes of infectious genital ulcers. An endemic occurrence, previously rare in Europe, has been observed in recent years. Particular risk groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers or sex tourists are affected. Even less common locations, such as the mouth or the rectum, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and atypical clinical symptoms (e.g. pelvic pain in pelvic lymphadenopathy with LGV) must be considered in the differential diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In recent years sexually transmitted infections (STI) have shown a significant increase in western industrialized nations. In all cases with unclear findings in the genital and anal areas (and also in the oral cavity) STI diseases must be reconsidered in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/M., Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M., Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malisiewicz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schöfer
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014686:Venereology / Q000592:standards