Ano-genital ulcers can be caused by a wide variety of infectious and non-infectious conditions.
• STIs: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV), syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), donovanosis, chancroid
• Other conditions: Fixed drug eruptions, aphthous ulcers, trauma, carcinoma, Crohn’s disease.
Symptoms | Comments/Considerations |
---|---|
Ulcers | Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) 1 and 2 are the most common causes. Ulcers are generally painful and commence as vesicles. Inguinal nodes often tender. Syphilis causes relatively less painful ulcers, more likely if sexual exposure to men who have sex with men (MSM), remote Aboriginal populations and outside Australia. Lesions often indurated and may have non-tender lymphadenopathy. Lesions can be painful if super-infected by other microbes. Rarer infectious causes include donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and chancroid. Non-infectious causes include fixed drug eruptions, aphthous ulcers, trauma, carcinoma and Crohn’s disease. |
Infection | Site/Specimen | Test |
---|---|---|
Herpes |
Swab of base of ulcer or de-roofed vesicle |
NAAT |
Syphilis |
Swab of base of ulcer Blood |
NAAT Serology. If clinical suspicion of syphilis, refer to the syphilis guideline. |
Donovanosis | Dry swab or punch biopsy of lesions. | Histology has low to moderate sensitivity but highly specific; requires experienced histopathologist as classic Donovan bodies may be sparse. NAAT is highly sensitive and specific but NAAT only available in research laboratories. |
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) | Swab from ulcer | NAAT (chlamydia) |
Chancroid | If chancroid suspected, seek specialist advice. | |
NAAT – Nucleic Acid Amplification Test |
Specimen collection
Principal Treatment Options | ||
---|---|---|
Infection | Recommended | Alternative |
Herpes* |
Initial episode: |
Initial episode: Aciclovir 400mg PO, TDS for 5 days Recurrence: Episodic therapy: Famciclovir 1g PO, BD for 1 day Suppressive therapy: Famciclovir 250mg PO, BD for 6 months. |
Syphilis # | Benzathine penicillin 1.8g IMI, stat. | Procaine penicillin 1.5g IMI, daily for 10 days. |
Donovanosis | Azithromycin 500mg PO, daily for 7 days OR Azithromycin 1g PO, once weekly for at least 4 weeks, until complete resolution of lesions. |
Doxycycline 100mg PO, BD for a minimum of 4 weeks, until complete resolution of lesions. |
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) | Doxycycline 100mg PO, BD for 21 days. | Alternative regimens are not recommended due to lack of efficacy data. If alternative regimen required, seek specialist advice. |
Chancroid | Azithromycin 1g PO, stat OR Ceftriaxone 500mg in 2mL of 1% lignocaine IMI, stat OR Ciprofloxacin 500mg PO, BD for 3 days. |
Alternative regimens are not recommended. |
*Limited evidence comparing other antiviral agents (aciclovir and famciclovir) with valaciclovir indicate that they are therapeutically equivalent for treating herpes. The ability for the patient to adhere to the recommended dosing frequency should be considered when selecting the appropriate treatment. Initial episodes of herpes may require a longer duration of treatment.
#Seek specialist advice for all patients who are pregnant, hypersensitive to penicillin or who are HIV positive.
Consider alternative diagnoses, biopsy or referral for any lesions not responding as expected to treatment.
For test of cure (TOC) and retesting advice see:
100% of patients complaining of a genital ulcer have a genital examination.