title: Genital Ulcer Disease: How Worrisome Is It Today? A Status Report from New Delhi, India.
abstract: Background and Objectives. Genital ulcer diseases represent a diagnostic dilemma, especially in India, where few STI clinics have access to reliable laboratory facility. The changing STI trends require that a correct diagnosis be made in order to institute appropriate treatment and formulate control policies. The objective of this study was to determine recent trends in aetiology of genital ulcers, by using accurate diagnostic tools. Methods. Specimens from 90 ulcer patients were processed for dark field microscopy, stained smears, culture for H. ducreyi, and real-time PCR. Blood samples were collected for serological tests. Results. Prevalence of GUD was 7.45 with mean age at initial sexual experience as 19.2 years. Use of condom with regular and nonregular partners was 19.5% and 42.1%, respectively. Sexual orientation was heterosexual (92.2%) or homosexual (2.2%). There were 8 cases positive for HIV (8.9%). Herpes simplex virus ulcers were the commonest, followed by syphilis and chancroid. There were no cases of donovanosis and LGV. Conclusions. A valuable contribution of this study was in validating clinical and syndromic diagnoses of genital ulcers with an accurate aetiological diagnosis. Such reliable data will aid treatment and better define control measures of common agents and help eliminate diseases amenable to elimination, like donovanosis.
authors: Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Sumathi
authors: S
authors: Muralidhar
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Richa
authors: R
authors: Talwar
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi 110025, India.
authors: Deepa
authors: D
authors: Anil Kumar
authors: Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Joginder
authors: J
authors: Kumar
authors: Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Manju
authors: M
authors: Bala
authors: Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Nilofar
authors: N
authors: Khan
authors: Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Centre, VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ramesh