A 35-year-old man from sub-Saharan Africa presents with a chronic genital ulcer that has been slowly enlarging. He is HIV-positive. The differential d...

Question

A 35-year-old man from sub-Saharan Africa presents with a chronic genital ulcer that has been slowly enlarging. He is HIV-positive. The differential diagnosis includes syphilis, chancroid, herpes, LGV, and granuloma inguinale. What clinical feature most reliably distinguishes chancroid from syphilis?

Accepted Answer

Chancroid ulcers are painful with soft, undermined edges and purulent base; syphilitic chancres are painless with firm, indurated, clean edges

Answer

Size of the ulcer

Answer

Number of lesions

Answer

Location on the genitalia

Answer

Patient age

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Chancroid vs Syphilis Clinical Features