Primary Article

Haemophilus ducreyi Infection in South Florida: A Rare Disease on the Rise?

Authors: THOMAS M. BECKER MD, PhD, WALLACE DeWITT MS, MPH, GARY VAN DUSEN BS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Increased numbers of patients with genital ulcers sought medical attention in the Palm Beach County, Florida, Sexually Transmitted Disease clinics from Aug 1, 1982 to Aug 31, 1983. We established that a small proportion of subsequent cases of genital ulcers were caused by Haemophilus ducreyi, the etiologic agent associated with chancroid. We also set up a surveillance system to monitor this sexually transmitted infection, and have illuminated several recent cases of chancroid occurring in that area. This outbreak of chancroid suggests that clinicians practicing in south Florida consider chancroid (generally a rare disease in the United States) in their differential diagnoses of genital ulcers.

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References