Sexually Transmitted Infections😍

Sexually Transmitted Infections

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Genital Ulcer Disease: Five D's to Rule Out

  • When presented with genital ulcer disease (GUD), consider five key differential diagnoses:
      1. Syphilis
      1. Chancroid
      1. Herpes (Genitalis)
      1. Donovanosis
      1. LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)

Characteristics of Genital Ulcer Diseases

Feature
Syphilis
LGV
Chancroid
Donovanosis
Herpes Genitalis
Causative Organism
Treponema pallidum
Chlamydia trachomatis
Haemophilus ducreyi
Klebsiella granulomatis
HSV (2 > 1)
Incubation Period
9-90 days (Long)
3-30 days (Long)
2-5 days (Short)
8-80 days (Long)
3-7 days (Short)
Ulcer Count
Single
Single (Transient)
Multiple
Single
Multiple
Pain
Painless
Painless
Painful
Painless
Painful
Ulcer Base
Firm, indurated
("
Hard Chancre")
- Clear base 
- Firm, raised border
Transient, hardly seen
(
buboes)
Non-indurated, undermined edges
("
Soft Chancre")
Beefy red, granulomatous, bleeds on touch

rolled edges
Vesicles and coalescing erosions
(
not usually an ulcer)
Lymphadenopathy
Bilateral,
non-tender, rubbery /shotty
Unilateral, painful buboes

Only Painless ulcer with Painful Buboes (U/L)
Unilateral, tender

None
(
pseudobuboes)
Bilateral, painful
Serology 

Dark field microscopy
NAAT
(Nucleic Acid Amplification Test)
Culture
Biopsy (Donovan bodies)
Tzanck smear (multinucleated giant cells) 

PCR
Treatment
Benzathine Penicillin,
Doxycycline
Doxycycline
Azithromycin
Azithromycin (long duration)
Acyclovir
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  • Donovanosis:
    • Grand party in Club (Kleb Granulo) mnemonic - refer micro
      • Right Don () → aka False Bob (Pseudobuoes)
      • Rolls (Rolled edges) in Club (Klebsiella), eat beef (red beefy)
      • Has no Pain (Painless), but bleeds (bleed on touch)
      • Put bodies → Donovan bodies
      • Takes a long day to come
      • why right (Wright Giemsa)?
        • He kills with safety pin (safety pin appearance) painlessly
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  • Syphillis
    • It was dark (dark field),
    • Button hole → Felt
    • hard (hard chancre) and rubbery (rubbery LN) d*** → did it Bilaterally (B/L LN)
    • But no pain (Ulcer and LN painless)
  • LGV
    • LGTV → Keep Neat (NAAT) → From Dogs (Doxy)
    • Only Painless ulcer with Painful Buboes (U/L)
  • Chance with his Wife (Chancroid and Herpes)
    • Multiple people (Multiple lesions)
    • Painful sex (Painful)
    • Cried (H ducreyi) → Soft (Soft chancre)
    • HSV → Vesicles
  • Black → Bubo
  • Ulcer → White/Blue
  • Herpes → Red
  • Partner Rx
    • Urethral and scrotal swelling, ulcer → treat partners
    • Cervical d/d → treat partners when symptomatic
    • Vaginal d/d → only trichomonas only when symptomatic
    • Non herpetic Ulcer → last 3 months partners
    • Herpetic Ulcer → no partner Rx
    • PID → Rx partner with kit 1 (Patient kit 6)
    • Bubo → All partners for last 3 weeks → BAD (Bubo, azithro, Doxy)

Anogenital Warts (Condyloma Acuminata):

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  • Caused by low-risk or high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
  • "Giant Condyloma Acuminata"
    • called "Buschke Loewenstein Tumour" (often high-risk HPV).
  • Mnemonic:
    • Buschke Ollendrof → in Condyloma Lata
    • Buschke Lowenstein tumor → Condyloma Accuminata
    • NOTE: Cervix : Corpus Ratio

    • Note: Cervix is longer than uterus (corpus) before puberty.
      • Age
        Cervix : Corpus Ratio
        At birth
        1 : 1
        Before puberty
        2 : 1
        At puberty
        1 : 2
        Reproductive age
        1 : 3 or 1 : 4
        Menopause
        1 : 1 (Organ atrophy)

Koilocyte (Human Papilloma Virus - HPV)

  • Seen in Pap smears and biopsies of cervix.
  • Microscopy:
    • Raisinoid nucleus (dark, shriveled).
    • Perinuclear halo (empty/white area around nucleus).
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Syphilis

  • T. Pallidium
  • Venereal syphilis: STD
  • Incubation period: 9 - 90 days

Syphilis Stages and Diagnosis

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Stages
Notes
Primary syphilis
Hard Chancre," "Hunterian Chancre"
Single, painless, indurated ulcer
• L.N → Painless, bilateral, rubbery
• "
Button Hole sign" (on touching ulcer).
Secondary syphilis
Condylomata lata
Broad-based, flat, moist lesions on skin folds due to macerated papular syphilids → teeming with spirochetes → Very infective

• Spread: 
Hematogenous.
• "
Great Imitator"

Syphilids → Skin Lesions → Bilaterally symmetrical → Asymptomatic → Polymorphic (No vesicles or bullae) → Small hyperpigmented macules → Buschke Ollendorff sign

Mucosal: Snail Track Ulcer
Hair: Moth Eaten Alopecia
Lymphadenopathy: Bilaterally symmetrical, epitrochlear lymph node common
Tertiary syphilis
Cause: Hypersensitivity to persistent treponemes.
Onset: 
10-30 years after primary infection
IOC
: EIA

Benign skin:
Gumma (rubbery ulcer) → Granuloma with Histiocytes

CVS
Aortic aneurysm (most common).
Tree bark aortitis [Cystic medial distortion]
↳ aortic regurgitation

CNS
General Paresis of InsaneDementia + Palsy + Delusion/Hallucination
ARP Argyll Robertson Pupil
Tabes dorsalisDC/Lancinating pain
Latent Syphilis
Serological evidence only (VDRL, TPHA, FTA-ABS positive);
No lesions.
Early Latent: <1 year.
Late Latent: >1 year (or 2 years).
Relapsing Syphilis
Lesions similar to secondary syphilis
↳ "
Chancre Redux" or "Monoresidive Chancre":
Lesion at
original chancre site.
Congenital Syphilis
Early
Snuffles (Persistent mucoid nasal discharge (infective))
Syphilitic Pemphigus (Vesicles and bullae)

Late
Hutchinson's Teeth (Peg-shaped central incisors)
Mulberry Molars (Rounded molar cusps)
Higoumenaki sign (rhagades or linear scars at the end of right clavicle)

Guidelines for Follow-up

  • Follow-up at 6, 12 and 24 months

Primary Syphilis:

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  • Incubation: 9-90 days.
  • Ulcer: 
    • Single, painless, indurated ulcer
    • (Hard Chancre," "Hunterian Chancre").
  • Ulcer Edges: 
    • Rounded, clearly defined with grayish slough.
  • Sign: "Button Hole sign" (on touching ulcer).
  • Lymph Nodes: Bilateral, rubbery, shotty.

Secondary Syphilis:

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Macular
Macular
Papular
Papular
  • Skin Lesions (Syphilids):
    • Bilaterally symmetrical.
    • Asymptomatic.
    • Color: Haem-colored or rose-colored.
    • Polymorphic (macules, papules, plaques, lichenoid).
      • No vesicles or bullae.
  • Characteristic: 
    • Small hyperpigmented macules
    • on hands and feet.
  • Sign: 
    • Buschke Ollendorff sign
      • pain on pressing lesion with blunt pin due to endarteritis obliteran.
  • Mnemonic:
    • Buschke Ollendrof → in Condyloma Lata
    • Buschke Lowenstein tumor → Condyloma Accuminata
    • NOTE: Cervix : Corpus Ratio

    • Note: Cervix is longer than uterus (corpus) before puberty.
      • Age
        Cervix : Corpus Ratio
        At birth
        1 : 1
        Before puberty
        2 : 1
        At puberty
        1 : 2
        Reproductive age
        1 : 3 or 1 : 4
        Menopause
        1 : 1 (Organ atrophy)
  • Spread: Hematogenous.
  • Involvement: 
    • Skin, lymph node, systemic.
    • Called: "Great Imitator" (mimics other disorders).
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  • Condyloma Lata:
    • Broad-based, flat, moist lesions on skin folds
      • due to macerated papular syphilids
    • Very infective
      • teeming with spirochetes
    • Differentiated from Condyloma Acuminata (verrucous, rough).
Condyloma lata
Condyloma lata

Mucosal Lesions:

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  • Mucus patches (asymptomatic).
  • Erosions (asymptomatic in oral mucosa).
  • Snail Track Ulcer (coalesced mucus patches/erosions).

Hair: 

  • "Moth Eaten Alopecia."
    • notion image

Lymphadenopathy: 

  • Bilaterally symmetrical, epitrochlear lymph node common.
    • notion image

Latent Syphilis:

  • Definition: 
    • Serological evidence only (VDRL, TPHA, FTA-ABS positive);
    • no lesions.
  • Classification:
    • Early Latent: <1 year.
    • Late Latent: >1 year (or 2 years).
  • Relapsing Syphilis
    • Lesions similar to secondary syphilis.
    • "Chancre Redux" or "Monoresidive Chancre":
      • Lesion at original chancre site.

Tertiary Syphilis:

  • Cause: Hypersensitivity to persistent treponemes.
  • Onset: 10-30 years after primary infection
  • IOC: EIA
  • Presentation:
    • Benign Tertiary Syphilis (skin, bone, lymph nodes).
    • Cardiovascular Syphilis (CVS).
    • Neurosyphilis (CNS).
  • Skin: 

    • Donut Granuloma
      Donut Granuloma
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      Granuloma Type
      Associated Conditions
      Donut Granuloma
      Q fever
      Allopurinol drug reaction
      Donut → Aalu Perotta (Allopurinol) vangan Q
      Durck Granuloma
      Cerebral malaria by Plasmodium falciparum
      Special stain: Field stain
      Attaches to ICAM
      False (Falciparum) Truck (Duruk) in a Field ()
      got in camera (ICAM)

      Stellate terms
      Seen in
      Stellate cells
      Cirrhosis
      NAFLD
      Chronic pancreatitis

      Young stella → alcoholic → liver and pancreas
      Stellate Keratin Precipitates
      Herpetic uveitis
      Toxoplasmosis
      Fuchs Heterochromia Iridocyclitis

      Young stella → Fucked () by Toxic () Herpes () Guy
      Stellate Granuloma
      Cat Scratch Disease
      LGV
      Leprosy
      Syphillis

      Stella granny → has a Cat, Lgtv, has leprosy and syphillis
      Stellate scar
      Kidney Oncocytoma, Chromophobe RCC
      Liver Focal Nodular Hyperplasia, Fibrolamellar Carcinoma
      Pancreas Serous Cystadenocarcinoma
      Breast Radial Scar: Premalignant
      Stellate Keratin Precipitates
      Stellate Keratin Precipitates

      • Gumma
        • In tertiary syphilis
        • Granuloma with Histiocytes
        • rubbery ulcer with well-defined margins, heals with scar
          • notion image
  • Cardiovascular: 
    • Aortic aneurysm (most common).
    • Cystic medial distortionTree bark aortitis
  • Neurosyphilis: 
    • ARP Argyll Robertson Pupil
    • Tabes dorsalisDC/Lancinating pain
    • General Paresis of Insane
      • Dementia + Palsy + Delusion/Hallucination
      • Severe Progressive Irreversible brain damage

Congenital Syphilis:

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  • Mnemonic: Newborn → We Sniff (snuffles), hug and umma (higumenaki) kodukum → kannum (interstitial keratitits) muukkum (saddle nose) pallum (hutch teeth, mulberry teeth) chevim (8th N → Deafness) nokkum → Hutchi hutchi (Hutchison teeth) thummubo → Mulburry () juice kodukum
  • Transmission: 
    • Mother to fetus.
  • Classification:
    • Early Congenital Syphilis: <1 year.
    • Late Congenital Syphilis: >1 year.
  • VDRL:
    • Babies titre 4x more than mother

Early Congenital Features:

  • "Snuffles":
    • Persistent mucoid nasal discharge (infective).
  • Syphilitic Pemphigus:
    • Vesicles and bullae.
  • HSM
  • Maculopapular/ Vesicobullous/Desquamative rash on palms and soles
  • Pseudoparalysis of Parrot
    • Child does not move limbs
    • X-ray:
      • Periosteal reaction
      • Osteochondritis

Late Congenital Features (Stigmata):

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  • Hutchinson's Teeth:
    • Peg-shaped central incisors.
  • Mulberry Molars:
    • Rounded molar cusps.
  • Higoumenaki sign
    • rhagades or linear scars at the end of right clavicle

Hutchinson's Triad (Mnemonic: ENT):

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Mulberry molars
Mulberry molars
Hutchison teeth
Hutchison teeth
  • Late manifestation of congenital syphilis.
  • E (Eye):
    • Interstitial Keratitis.
  • N (Nerve):
    • 8th Nerve Deafness.
      • SNHL
  • T (Teeth):
    • Hutchinson's Teeth.
      • Notching of incisors
  • Others features include:
    • Saddle nose (Olympic brow)
    • Mulberry molars.
    • Running nose.
    • Clutton's joints.
 

Hutchinson's

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  • HHerpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
  • UsubUngual Melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma)
    • Hutchinson sign
      • notion image
  • TTriad congenital syphillis
    • Peg shaped teeth
    • Interstitial Keratitis (IK + SNHL)
    • SNHL
  • CH Chauffeur's Fracture/Backfire Fracture
    • Intra articular #
  • Son looking olderHutchison Gilford
    • LMN A gene defect (laminopathy).
    • Progeria (onset: Child)
  • PUPIL Hutchinson Pupil
    • Herniation of uncus (medial temporal lobe) → compresses ipsilateral CN III → same side pupillary dilatation.
    • Kernohan’s notch phenomenon:
      • False localizing sign
        • Ipsilateral pupil dilatation
        • Ipsilateral UMN palsy

Investigations:

Dark field microscope

  • Cannot be stained with Geimsa
  • Most sensitive and specific (for primary stage, chancre/lymph node).
  • Spiral, slender, wavy organisms (spirochetes).
  • Reflect the light transmitted by organism
Dark field microscope
Dark field microscope

Silver impregnation:

  • Fontana Stain - fluid/films
  • Levaditi stain: tissue
  • silver pyrates live near fountain
    • Levaditi stain
      Levaditi stain

Serological Diagnosis

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Reagin Tests (Non-Treponemal Tests) (Non-specific)

  • Become positive later
  • Become negative → Helps in monitoring
  • Includes
    • Wasserman test (Complement Fixation Test)
    • Kahn test
    • VDRL
    • RPR
    • TRUST
    • UST
    • RST
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VDRL
RPR (rapid plasma reagin)
Serum (preheating needed)
No fluid prepared
Cardiolipin Ag (use within 24 hours)
Not needed
Agglutination (slide based test)
Not needed - card test

VDRL

  • Purified lipid extract of beef heart + lecithin + cholesterol
  • Use all samples - blood as well as CSF
  • IOC for Neurosyphilis CSF sample
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RPR
RPR

Treponemal Tests (Specific)

  • Become positive first
  • Do not help in monitoring
FTA - ABS
Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Assay
Sensitive and specific
TPI
↳ Treponema pallidum
Immobilization Assay
Specific
TPHA
↳ Treponema pallidum
Hemagglutination Assay
TPPA
↳ Treponema pallidum
Particulate Agglutination Assay
(2nd specific)
  • Most Specific blood test: 
    • FTA-ABS > TPPA
  • Earliest Positive: 
    • IgM Capita > FTA-ABS
  • Most Sensitive: 
    • IgM Capita > FTA-ABS
  • Screening
    • VDRL or RPR (RPR cards for field).
  • IOC
    • Primary Syphilis: DGM.
    • Secondary Syphilis: FTA-ABS.
    • Tertiary Syphilis: Enzyme Immunoassay.
    • Neurosyphilis: CSF Examination.
  • Monitoring ActivityVDRL

Treatment:

  • Standard: Injection Benzathine Penicillin.
    • Adult Dose:
      • 2.4 million units IM single dose (1.2M each buttock).
      • Duration:
        • Single dose: Primary, Secondary, Early Latent.
        • Three doses (weekly): Late Latent, CVS, Benign Tertiary.
    • Child Dose: 
      • 50,000 units/kg IM
      • up to adult dose
  • Special Cases (Cannot cross barriers):
    • Neurosyphilis, Congenital Syphilis:
      • Drug of Choice: Aqueous Crystalline Penicillin IV.
      • Alternative: Procaine Penicillin + Probenecid.
  • Allergic to penicillin:
    • Desensitize the patient
      • because Penicillin is the most effective drug ????
    • Doxycyline
  • In pregnancy
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H. Ducreyi - Chancroid

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  • Mnemonic: Ooi Oii → Cry → Baby
    • Hint thannitt mullum (Muller hinton)
    • Schoolil (school of fish) povum,
    • railway trackil (rail road track) kuda nadakum,
    • chocolate thinnond horse (chocolate horse blood) ride cheyyum

Ulcer Characteristics:

  • Soft chancre
  • painful soft genital ulcers.
  • Non-indurated base.
  • Floor with yellow necrotic tissue
  • Undermined edges.
  • Bleeds on touch.

Lymphadenopathy: 

  • Unilateral and tender
  • Suppurative LNBuboes

Gram Stain: 

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  • Gram negative bacilli in chains
    • "School of Fish"
    • "Rail Road Track”
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Investigation of Choice: 

  • Culture
    • Mueller Hinton Agar + chocolate horse blood
    • supplemented with isovitalex and fetal calf serum

Treatment:

  • Single Dose T. Azithromycin 1 gram.
  • If unavailable: 
    • Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM.

Important Information

  • In syphilis - hard – painless chancre

Herpes Genitalis

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  • Ulcer Characteristics:
    • Multiple, painful.
    • Vesicles and coalescing erosions (ulcers not typical).
  • Incubation: Short (2-7 days)
  • Episodes:
    • Primary: More painful, severe.
    • Recurrent: Less painful, severe, intense.
  • Latent in dorsal root ganglion
  • Lymphadenopathy: Bilateral painful.

Herpetic Keratitis

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  • Treatment:
    • 3% Acyclovir eye ointment (not drops)
    • Steroids are contraindicated.
    • Eye drops 1st → Ointment 15 mins later.
      • If ointment is applied first:
        • It creates a barrier.
        • Prevents absorption of the eye drop.

NOTE
Similar terms
Seen in
Dendritic ulcer
HSV 1 Corneal ulcer
Pseudodendrites
Acanthameba
Pseudodendritic ulcer
Varicella Zoster

Diagnosis of Herpetic Infections:

EEG

  • Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharge (PLED)
    • Seen in HSV encephalitis
      • Mnemonic: His wife → Period late → she seizures
        • HSV Encephalitis → Affects temporal lobes
DOC is Acyclovir.
Mnemonic: HSV → His Wife → Like temples (temporal lobe)
          HSV Encephalitis → Affects temporal lobes
          DOC is Acyclovir.
          Mnemonic: HSV → His Wife → Like temples (temporal lobe)

Lab Diagnosis

  • Tzanck smear → Lipschultz bodies
  • Skin scrapings can be used
  • Geimsa staining
    • Cytopathic effect = 3M
      • Multinucleated
      • Molding
      • Margination
  • Mc coy culture
HSV Inclusion bodies
HSV Inclusion bodies

Tzanck Smear:

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  • Mnemonic: HSV → His Wife → Has Giant boobs (Multinucleated giant cell) and good lips (Lipschultz) → She wears tank top (Tzank) → She goes to Gym too (Giemsa stain). She becomes a target for others (Target lesions → erythema multiforme)
  • For cytology
  • Unroof vesicle/bulla or scrape erosion base
  • Stain with Giemsa stain
  • See: Large multinucleated giant cell (feature of HSV infection)
  • Also some acantholytic cells
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Gold Standard:

  • PCR (differentiates HSV 1 & 2).

Treatment of HSV Infection:

  • Treatment available: 
    • Acyclovir
    • Valacyclovir
    • Famciclovir
  • Primary infection:
    • Antiviral
      Dosage
      Duration
      Total/day
      Acyclovir
      200 mg x five times a day
      OR
      400 mg 3 times/day.
      7 to 10 days
      1g
      Valacyclovir
      1 g x twice times a day
      7 to 10 days
      2g
  • Recurrent infection:
    • Antiviral
      Dosage
      Duration
      Total/day
      Acyclovir
      400 mg x three times a day
      5 days
      1.2 g
      Valacyclovir
      1 g x twice times a day
      5 days
      3 g
  • If > 6 recurrences/year: 
    • suppressive treatment (daily)
  • If Acyclovir resistant:
    • Use Foscarnet and Cidofovir
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Hutchinson's

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  • HHerpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
  • UsubUngual Melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma)
    • Hutchinson sign
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  • TTriad congenital syphillis
    • Peg shaped teeth
    • Interstitial Keratitis (IK + SNHL)
    • SNHL
  • CH Chauffeur's Fracture/Backfire Fracture
    • Intra articular #
  • Son looking olderHutchison Gilford
    • LMN A gene defect (laminopathy).
    • Progeria (onset: Child)
  • PUPIL Hutchinson Pupil
    • Herniation of uncus (medial temporal lobe) → compresses ipsilateral CN III → same side pupillary dilatation.
    • Kernohan’s notch phenomenon:
      • False localizing sign
        • Ipsilateral pupil dilatation
        • Ipsilateral UMN palsy

Donovanosis

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  • Donovanosis:
    • Grand party in Club (Kleb Granulo) mnemonic - refer micro
      • Right Don () → aka False Bob (Pseudobuoes)
      • Rolls (Rolled edges) in Club (Klebsiella), eat beef (red beefy)
      • Has no Pain (Painless), but bleeds (bleed on touch)
      • Put bodies → Donovan bodies
      • Takes a long day to come
      • why right (Wright Giemsa)?
        • He kills with safety pin (safety pin appearance) painlessly
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  • Syphillis
    • It was dark (dark field),
    • Button hole → Felt
    • hard (hard chancre) and rubbery (rubbery LN) d*** → did it Bilaterally (B/L LN)
    • But no pain (Ulcer and LN painless)
  • LGV
    • LGTV → Keep Neat (NAAT) → From Dogs (Doxy)
    • Only Painless ulcer with Painful Buboes (U/L)
  • Chance with his Wife (Chancroid and Herpes)
    • Multiple people (Multiple lesions)
    • Painful sex (Painful)
    • Cried (H ducreyi) → Soft (Soft chancre)
    • HSV → Vesicles
  • Black → Bubo
  • Ulcer → White/Blue
  • Herpes → Red
  • Partner Rx
    • Urethral and scrotal swelling, ulcer → treat partners
    • Cervical d/d → treat partners when symptomatic
    • Vaginal d/d → only trichomonas only when symptomatic
    • Non herpetic Ulcer → last 3 months partners
    • Herpetic Ulcer → no partner Rx
    • PID → Rx partner with kit 1 (Patient kit 6)
    • Bubo → All partners for last 3 weeks → BAD (Bubo, azithro, Doxy)

Features

  • Organism: Klebsiella granulomatous
    • Calymmato bacterium grnaulomatis
  • IP: 3 days - 3 months

Ulcer Characteristics:

  • Beefy red, granulomatous ulcer.
  • Bleeds easily on touch.
  • Thin undermined margin.
  • Painless and non-indurated.

Lymphadenopathy:

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  • No true lymph nodes.
  • Pseudobuboes (lesions appear at lymph node site).

Investigation:

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  • Wright Giemsa Staining:
    • "Safety Pin appearance"
      • clusters of blue-black microorganisms with peripheral/tip condensation
    • Donovan bodies are seen

Investigation of Choice:

  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Test > CFT

Treatment:

  • Azithromycin:
    • 1 gram orally once/week for
      • 3 + weeks or
      • until healed (OR 500 mg daily).
  • If unavailable/intolerable:
    • Doxycycline 100 mg twice/day for 3+ weeks or until healed.

Neisseria (Comparison between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae)

Synovial fluid
Synovial fluid
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Feature
Neisseria meningitidis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Habitat
Nasopharynx
Genitals
Disease
Meningitis
Gonorrhoea
Fermentation
Glucose and maltose
Glucose
Shape
Lens-shaped
Kidney-shaped
Capsule
Present
Negative
Oxidase
Positive
Positive
Oxygen Req.
Strict aerobe
Facultative anaerobe
Virulence
Capsular polysaccharide (LOS)
(A, B, C, Y, W135)
Protein I (PORB1a, PORB1D) ⇒ Disseminated
Protein II
(LOS)
Others
Outer membrane protein (OMP), IgA protease,
Endotoxin, Type IV pili (motility)
Outer membrane protein (OMP),
IgA protease,
Endotoxin, Type IV pili
Transport Media
Amies/Stuart media
Amies/Stuart media
Culture Media
Modified Thayer-Martin
Modified Thayer-Martin
Treatment
IV ceftriaxone
IV ceftriaxone with Azithromycin
Martin() dating amie()stuart()
nyc men()
have capsule
().
Eat everything glucose maltose catalase oxidase
().
Do aerobs
(). tell oomp() after showing pili() and telling A ()→ release toxin inside ()
Martin() dating amie() stuart()
nyc gone
()
No maltose. . tell oomp
() after showing pili() and telling A () after porn() Smoker (facultative anerobe )
Vaccine (A, C, Y, W135)
No protection against B

Neisseria meningitidis

  • Clinical features:
    • Pyogenic meningitis.
  • Meningococcal vaccine:
    • Protects against serotypes A, C, Y, W135.
    • Does not protect against serotype B.
  • Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage
    • Waterhouse-Friedrichsen syndrome
    • notion image

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

  • Clinical features:
    • Ophthalmia neonatorum.
    • Urethritis (most common in males).
    • Cervicitis (most common in females).
      • Watercan perineum (multiple discharging sinuses).
  • Complications:
    • Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).
      • A/w PORB1a.
  • Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome
    • perihepatitis
    • Also seen in Chlamydia trachomatis infections.
    • Trac (trachomatis ) gone (Gonorrhoeae) fits (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome varum
    • notion image

Modified Thayer-Martin medium

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  • Contains Vancomycin, Colistin, Nystatin, and Trimethoprim.

Other STIs

  • Scabies
  • Genital Molluscum

Urethral or Cervical Discharge

In penis: Thick, copious purulent discharge 
Gonococcal
In penis: Thick, copious purulent discharge
Gonococcal
 In penis: Thin watery scanty clear looking discharge 
Non Gonococcal
In penis: Thin watery scanty clear looking discharge
Non Gonococcal
In penis: Thin watery scanty clear looking discharge
In penis: Thin watery scanty clear looking discharge
In cervix: Thin, watery scanty clear, looking discharge
In cervix: Thin, watery scanty clear, looking discharge
Feature
Gonococcal Urethritis (GU)
Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)
Organism
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Chlamydia,
Mycoplasma,
Ureaplasma,
Adenovirus,
Trichomonas vaginalis,
HSV
Discharge
Profuse, purulent, yellowish
Scanty, watery
Symptoms
Painful urination, burning micturition, fever
(prominent symptoms)

Cervix friable
Usually no symptoms



Cervix friable
Complications
Less due to early presentation

Males
Infection of urethra, prostate, epididymis
Testis not involved

Female
Salpingitis, PID

Infant
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
More
retrograde urethritis,
disseminated infections,
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Higher chance of
Arthritis
• Perihepatitis
(
Fitz Hug Curtis Syndrome)

Tack Gone → Fits come
Lab (Gram Stain)
PMNs > 5/HPF
Gram negative diplococci
(bean or kidney shaped cells)
inside PMNs
PMNs >5/HPF
(no diplococci)

NAAT
Culture in Thayer martin medium
NAAT
Treatment
Cefixime 400 mg stat OR
Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM stat
(
plus NGU treatment = Azithromycin)
Azithromycin 1 gram stat
Gonococcal
Culture test: Thayer Martin Medium
Gonococcal
Culture test:
Thayer Martin Medium

Note: 

  • All GU → Treat NGU

Vaginal Discharge

Features of Normal Vaginal Discharge

  • Normal pH of vagina: 4-4.5
  • Requirements for acidic vaginal pH:
    • Estrogen
    • Presence of glycogen in epithelium
      • Doderlein bacilli: Convert glycogen -> Lactic acid
      • notion image
  • Note: Vagina has no glands, cervical pH: 6-8

pH of Vagina in Different Age Groups

Life Stage
Vaginal pH
Notes
Before Puberty
Alkaline (6-8)
No vaginal discharge, Vaginal pH = Cervical pH
At Puberty
Alkaline → Acidic
Doderlein bacilli appear
Reproductive Age
Acidic (4-4.5)
-
Pregnancy
More Acidic (3.5-4)
Doderlein bacilli increase
Menstruation
Alkaline (6-8)
pH is alkaline due to blood
After Menopause
Alkaline (6-8)
Doderlein bacilli disappear
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Candida
Candida
 
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Feature
Physiological Leucorrhoea
Bacterial Vaginosis
Trichomonas Vaginitis
Candidiasis
Organism
Gardnerella vaginalis
Mobiluncus
Mycoplasma hominis
Ureaplasma
Reduced concentration of lactobacilli
coccobacilli
Trichomonas vaginalis (flagellated protozoa)

Associated with
adverse pregnancy outcomes
Candida albicans


Premenstrual flare-up
Vulva is red and sore
Discharge
Colourless, odourless
Thin, homogenous, white discharge,
Colourless, fishy odour
,
altered after menstruation,
milky-white, grayish or yellowish
Yellowish-green, frothy, foul-smelling discharge
Cottage cheese-like / curdy white
pH
4-4.5
>4.5
>4.5
<4
Pruritus
Absent
Absent
Present
Intense
(main complaint)
IOC
(Saline Microscopy)
Clue cells =
vaginal epithelial cells +
adherent bacteria → fuzzy.

Filmy background: Coccobacilli sit in background.
Motility present

Pear-shaped/kite-shaped organism with flagella.

Strong association with Leptothrix 
(long threads).

Together: spaghetti and meatball appearance 

(Leptothrix = spaghetti, Trichomonas = meatballs).

Also seen in Malassezia furfur.
pseudo hyphae & budding yeast cells

"Sheesh kebab effect" 
(cells arranged on a stick).
Gold Standard
Gram staining,
Nugent score
Culture
Culture
Other Features
Amsel criteria (+)
whiff test positive
On P/S:
"strawberry cervix"

(cervical punctate hemorrhages)
C/F:
Splash dysuria;

M/c in pregnancy, DM, HIV, OCP & steroid users
Management
Oral metronidazole 500 mg TDS x 5-7 days, avoid in 1st trimester
Oral metronidazole 500 mg TDS x 5-7 days, avoid in 1st trimester
DOC non-pregnant:
Oral fluconazole;

DOC in
pregnancy: Clotrimazole
(topical imidazole
)
Partner Rx
Not done
(not sexually transmitted)
Done
(sexually transmitted)
Not done unless symptomatic

Trichomonas Vaginalis

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Pear shaped?
Pear shaped?
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  • Most common cause of STD and NGU.
  • Infective stage: Trophozoite only.
  • Diagnostic stage: No cyst formed.
  • In males
    • Cystitis, Prosthetitis, Urethritis
  • Females: Strawberry cervix, greenish discharge.
 
  • South delhi fashionable aunti → has No sister (No cyst) → love diamond () and strawberries () and lash () → jerk and twitch ()
    • notion image

Trophozoite:

  • Pear shaped
  • 1 nucleus.
  • 4 anterior flagella.
  • 1 posterior flagellum with an undulating membrane.

Diagnosis:

  • Shows twitching / jerky motility.
  • Sample: Discharge sample.
  • PAP smear can be used.
  • Microscopy: Only trophozoites.

Culture:

  • Lash cysteine hydrolysate serum
  • Diamond medium.

Treatment:

  • DOC: Metronidazole.
  • Partner must be treated.

Bacterial Vaginosis

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Best Test for BV

  • Nugent score on Gram Stain
    • Score 7 - 10 = BV

Amsel's criteria for bacterial vaginosis include:

  • Diagnosis is confirmed if any 3 out of 4 criteria are present.
      1. Thin homogeneous discharge, Smoothly coats vaginal walls
      1. ≥20% clue cells.
          • Vaginal epithelial cells with adherent coccobacilli
          Clue cells
          Clue cells
          notion image
      1. pH ≥4.5
      1. Whiff test (+):
          • 10% KOH added to vaginal discharge produces a fishy/amine odour.

Investigations (Smears) in BV:

  • Gram stain
  • Presence of "clue cells" (>20%)
  • Stippled appearance of vaginal squamous cells
    • notion image

Actinomyces

Actinomyces Israelii:

  • It is acid-fast.
  • Microscopy: Filamentous organism.
  • Appearances: "Ball of cotton," "ball of wool," "dust bunnies," or "Gupta bodies".
  • A/w oral cervical actinomycosis triad
    • Woody hard swelling
    • Multiple discharging sinuses
    • Sulfur granules
  • A/w chronic osteomyelitis of mandible
  • Associated with:
    • PID
    • IUCD → Copper T
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STI Kits (Syndromic Management)

  • Mnemonic: "Great Girls Will Buy Red Yellow Bags."
Feature
Vaginal Discharge
Cervical Discharge
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Patient Complaints
Vaginal discharge
Mucopurulent or mucoid discharge
Lower abdominal pain +/- discharge,
Rule out ectopic pregnancy
P/S Examination
Vaginal discharge,
Strawberry cervix (Cx)
Cx: Unhealthy / Erosion / Ulcer / Friable
N/A
P/V Examination
Uterus: Normal,
Adnexa: Normal
Normal
Uterine tenderness,
Cx tenderness,
Adnexal tenderness
Kit Number
(216)
2
1
6
Kit Colour
Green

Trichomonas → Green d/d
Grey

Grey area → cervix
Yellow

PID → Pus → Yellow
Drugs
Secnidazole 2 g stat,
Fluconazole 150 mg stat
T. Azithromycin 1 g stat,
T.
Cefixime 800 mg stat
T. Doxycycline 100 mg BD x 14 days,
T.
Metronidazole 400 mg BD x 14 days,
T.
Cefixime 800 mg STAT
Partner Rx
Not given
Given with same kit
Given with Kit no. 1
Kit No.
Color
Indication
Treatment
1
Grey
Urethral or Cervical Discharge
(Gonorrhea, Chlamydia)
Ano-rectal discharge
Asymptomatic infections

Azithromycin 1 gram stat +
Cefixime 400 mg OD stat
2
Green
Vaginal Discharge
Secnidazole 2 gram
+
Fluconazole 150 mg stat
3
White
GUD – Non-Herpetic
Benzathine Penicillin
+
Azithromycin 1 gram stat
4
Blue
GUD – Non-Hrpetic
(Penicillin allergy)
Azithromycin
+
Doxycycline
5
Red
GUD – Herpetic
Acyclovir
6
Yellow
Lower Abdominal Pain /
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (females)

Yellow Pus
6
Black (Bags)
Inguinal Bubo (males)
Doxycycline
+
Azithromycin
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Miscellaneous

Pearly penile papule
The exact cause is unknown, and they are not linked to poor hygiene or STIs
Pearly penile papule
The exact cause is unknown, and they are not linked to poor hygiene or STIs

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Definition

  • Inflammation of upper female genital tract
    • Uterus
    • Fallopian tubes
    • Ovaries and peritoneum

Etiology and Epidemiology

  • Sexually transmitted
  • Most common cause: Polymicrobial
  • Second most common cause:
    • Chlamydia
    • Gonococcal
  • Most common cause of acute PID: Gonorrhea
  • Most common cause of PID in virgin females: Genital TB
    • Hematogenous spread
    • Affect Ampulla
  • Most common cause of PID in IUD users: Actinomyces
  • NACO: Syndromic management of PID

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis

CDC Criteria for diagnosis:

  • Minimum criteria:
    • Lower abdominal pain (most common symptom) + any of following:
      • Cervical motion tenderness
      • Adnexal tenderness
      • Uterine tenderness
  • Additional criteria:
    • Fever
    • Mucopurulent discharge
    • Microscopy of discharge shows abundant WBC
    • Raised ESR
    • Raised CRP
    • Lab test for chlamydia/gonorrhea
  • Specific criteria:
    • Endometrial biopsy: Endometritis
    • TVS/MRI
    • Laparoscopy: Pus oozing from fimbrial end

Rule out

  • Ectopic pregnancy

Investigations

TVS findings:

  • Adhesions inside tube
  • Adhesions in peritoneal cavity
  • Hydrosalpinx
  • Beads on string appearance
  • Waist sign
  • Cogwheel sign
  • Note: Beaded appearance on HSG suggests Genital TB
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Laparoscopy:

  • Gold standard investigation
  • Tubes, adnexa visualized directly
  • Scoring for conception: BOER-MEISEL Score
    • Bore missile → to become pregnant, got PID instead
  • Specimen can be collected
  • Done only when unable to make a diagnosis

Culture medium for Chlamydia

  • Urethral discharge shows no organism on Gram staining
  • McCoy cell culture
  • Iodine stained inclusion bodies on microscopy
  • “McCoy () Cat Chases (Chlamydia) Iodine () Fish.”Investigation:
    • notion image
Investigations
  • NAAT
  • CFT

Staging of PID (Gainesville Staging)

  • Stage 1: No peritonitis
  • Stage 2: Peritonitis present
  • Stage 3: Tubo-ovarian mass/abscess
  • Stage 4: Ruptured tubo-ovarian mass
  • Stage 5: Tubercular salpingitis
  • Mnemonic: Got PID while trying to gain a villa

Treatment

  • 1st step
    • Start Empirical Antibiotics (NACO)
  • Kit 6 → Yellow
    • Cefixime 800mg SD
    • Metronidazole 400mg BD x 14 days
    • Doxycycline 100mg BD x 14 days
  • For Chlamydia:
    • Azithromycin 2 g single dose OR
    • Doxycycline 100 mg BD x 7 days
    • Treat symptomatic partner
  • For Gonorrhea:
    • Inj Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM single dose OR
    • T. Cefixime 800 mg single dose
    • Treat symptomatic partner

Long-Term Consequences

  • Infertility (most common)
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Hydrosalpinx
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Recurrent PID
  • Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome

  • Adhesions formed between liver and anterior abdomen
    • Violin string appearance
  • Most common in:
    • Chlamydia > Gonorrhea
    • Clams together → Chlamydia

Genital TB

Characteristics

  • Most common secondary infection
  • Most common primary site: Lungs > lymph nodes
  • Most common route of spread: Hematogenous
  • Most common site: Fallopian tube (Ampulla) > uterus
  • Least common site: Vulva, vagina
  • Most common route of spread for endometrial TB: Direct spread

Symptoms

  • Infertility (most common):
    • Due to bilateral cornual block
  • Pain (second most common):
    • Chronic pelvic pain/dysmenorrhea
  • Menstrual irregularity:
    • Metrorrhagia (due to endometritis)
    • Amenorrhea (due to Asherman syndrome)
  • Systemic symptoms:
    • Weight loss
    • Fatigue
    • Evening rise of temperature
    • Decreased appetite

On Examination

  • Per Abdomen (P/A):
    • Doughy abdomen + ascites
  • Per Vagina (P/V):
    • Reproductive age female: Normal
    • Pubertal female: B/L adnexal mass

Investigations

  • IOC:
    • Endometrial biopsy (in pre-menstrual phase)
    • In virgin female: Collect day 1 of menstrual blood (endometrial biopsy not done)

Treatment

  • For Genital TB:
    • ATT x 6 months (Can improve fertility)
  • For infertility in Genital TB:
    • In-vitro fertilization (in distorted pelvic anatomy)

Note

  • HSG (Hysterosalpingography) in patients with active genital TB should be avoided to prevent infection spread.
  • HSG only done after ATT