GENITAL ULCER DISEASE

There are five major sexually transmitted diseases producing genital u lcerations. Their prevalence varies among geographic regions. Whereas genital herpes is the most frequent cause of genital ulcer in western Europe and North America, the most common cause of genital ulcer disea se in developing countries appears to be chancroid. Owing to frequentl y atypical presentation and mixed infections, an accurate clinical dia gnosis is very difficult. Successful management of genital ulcer disea se depends on accurate diagnosis corroborated by performance of approp riate laboratory tests when possible.