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Genitourin Med 1987;63:312-315 doi:10.1136/sti.63.5.312
  • Research Article

Aetiology of genital ulceration in the Gambia.

  1. D C Mabey,
  2. R A Wall,
  3. C S Bello
  1. Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, 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.

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