By ULY CLINIC

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Genital ulcer disease (GUD)

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GUD is a loss of continuity of skin or mucous membrane producing one or more lesions in the genital area.

 

The common aetiologies of GUD in Tanzania are Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV) and Calymmatobacterium granulomatis.

 

In many parts of Tanzania, genital herpes is another frequent cause of genital ulcer disease. Where HIV infection is prevalent, an increasing portion of cases of genital ulcer disease is likely to harbour herpes simplex virus. 

 

Herpetic ulcers may be atypical and persist for long periods in HIV-infected patients. Clinical manifestations and patterns of genital ulcer disease may be further altered in the presence of HIV infection.

 

Clinical differential diagnosis of genital ulcers is inaccurate, particularly in settings where several etiologies are common  

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