The microbial aetiology of genital ulcers in black men in Durban, South Africa.

Abstract

The microbial etiology of genital ulcers was assessed in 100 black men attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Durban, South Africa. Forty patients harbored Haemophilus ducreyi, nine herpes simplex virus, and one Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Syphillis was diagnosed in 44 patients on the basis of dark field microscopy or positive syphillis serology test results, or both. Of these 44 patients, eight also harbored H. ducreyi, one herpes simplex virus. Lymphogranuloma venereum was diagnosed on one patient. No cause of ulceration could be found in the remaining 16 patients.