Ulcus molle is the name given to a disease that is transmitted almost exclusively through sexual intercourse.Women are often only carriers of the infection but remain asymptomatic.The incubation period – time from infection to onset of the disease – is usually only one to five days. Once an infection has been contracted, it does not lead to resistance. A new infection is therefore possible at any time.
Symptoms and complaints
At the site of entry of the pathogen (Haemophilus ducreyi), usually the genital organs, painful, roundish, soft ulcers – soft chancre – initially form, which heal spontaneously – but sometimes incompletely. The pathogen spreads through the lymphatic system, so that in about half of the cases the lymph nodes in the groin region are affected with possible abscess formation. Breakthrough of the lymph nodes through the skin is also possible.
Possible complications of molle’s ulcer include:
- Phimosis – narrowing of the foreskin of the penis.
- Paraphimosis (also called “Spanish collar”) – entrapment of the too-tight prepuce (penile foreskin) behind the glans corona; edematous swelling and circulatory disturbances (gangrene).
- Urethral fistulas – fistulas of the urethra.
Causes
The cause of the disease is an infection with the pathogen Haemophilus ducreyi. This is a bacterium that is transmitted during sexual intercourse.
Diagnostics
To detect the pathogen Haemophilus ducreyi, a swab is taken from the ulcers. Using a special stain, the pathogen can be stained and visualized under a microscope.
Therapy
A molle ulcer is treated medicinally with antibiotics.
The following antibiotics may be used for this purpose:
- Ceftriaxone
- Azithromycin
- Erythromycin
Drugs to which the pathogen is resistant are, for example, penicillins or tetracyclines and sulfonamides.