Genital Lesions Flashcards

1
Q

Which types of herpesvirus cause genital herpes infections?

A

HSV-1 and HSV-2

Classically this was HSV-2 only as HSV-1 is associated with the mouth, although due to the increase in practise of oral sex there is now much more overlap

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2
Q

How might a patient with genital herpes present?

A

Multiple, painful vesicles/ulcers on genitalia
Short history
May be flu-like illness and systemic symptoms if initial episode
Dysuria
Vaginal discharge

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3
Q

What is the treatment for herpes?

A

Oral antivirals i.e. aciclovir

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4
Q

True / False: A woman with a pre-existing genital herpes infection cannot give birth vaginally

A

False - If the infection is pre-existing, the mother will make IgG antibodies which are passed via the placenta to the baby and so risk of infection is minimal

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5
Q

What is the causative agent of lymphogranuloma venereum ?

A

Chlamydia tracomatis

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6
Q

What is the treatment for LGV?

A

Doxycycline or erythromycin

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7
Q

Typically, how long after infection does primary LGV appear?

A

3-30 days

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8
Q

What is the incubation period for chancroid?

A

3-10 days

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9
Q

What is the causative agent of chancroid?

A

Haemophilus ducreyi

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10
Q

What are the characteristic clinical features of chancroid?

A

Single or multiple ano-genital ulcers which are painful, have a purulent base and may bleed on contact
Inguinal lymphadenopathy, usually unilateral

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11
Q

Which virus causes genital warts?

A

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

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12
Q

Which subtypes of HPV typically cause genital warts?

A

HPV-6 and HPV-11

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13
Q

What is the mode of transmission of genital warts?

A

Direct skin to skin contact

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14
Q

True / False - Genital warts can be entirely prevented by using a condom during sexual intercourse

A

False - Genital warts are spread by direct skin to skin contact and condoms to not fully cover the genital area so transmission is still possible. Similarly, genital warts can be spread in the absence of penetrative sex.

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15
Q

Which subtypes of HPV typically cause cervical cancer?

A

HPV 16 and 18

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16
Q

What effect does syphilis infection have on the rate of transmission of HIV?

A

Syphilis increase HIV transmission. A person with syphilis and HIV is 4-5x more likely to mass on HIV to a partner than if they didn’t have syphilis.

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17
Q

List the types of syphilis serology available for testing

A

Treponemal tests: EIA and TPPA

Non-treponemal tests: RPR (Rapid plasma regain)

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18
Q

Which serological tests will stay positive forever once a patient has been infected with syphilis, even if the infection is treated?

A

The treponema tests: EIA and TPPA

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19
Q

Which test is used as a screening test in syphilis?

A

EIA

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20
Q

What is the organism involved in a syphilis infection?

A

Treponema pallidum

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21
Q

True / False: Condoms are entirely effective at reducing syphilis infection

A

False - They are only partially effective as syphilis can be transmitted via mucosal surfaces which condoms don’t fully cover

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22
Q

How does primary syphilis present?

A

Ulcers (painless) at the site of exposure e.g. mouth, anus, vagina
Local lymphadenopathy

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23
Q

How soon after exposure to syphilis do primary syphilis ulcers present?

A

About 2-3 weeks

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24
Q

True / False: Ulcers typical of genital herpes do not usually cause pain

A

False - Lesions in HSV are painFUL, while ulcers seen in syphilis are usually painless

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25
Q

Describe the features of secondary syphilis

A
Systemic features:
Rash - Usually a maculopapular rash affecting palms / soles, not usually itchy
Fever
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Vasculitis affects 5%
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26
Q

What happens if secondary syphilis is left untreated?

A

Usually gets better by itself even if untreated - the patient is then in the latent phase

27
Q

What are the stages of syphilis?

A

Primary
Secondary
Latent
Tertiary

28
Q

What is latent syphilis?

A

About 1 year after initial infection, when the patient is no longer infective, but is still infected. There is serological proof of the disease but with no symptoms.

29
Q

What are the 3 manifestations of tertiary syphilis?

A

Neurosyphilis
Cardiovascular syphilis
Gummata syphilis

30
Q

What tests might they do to test for syphilis in a GUM clinic?

A

Direct tests:

  • PCR
  • Dark ground microscopy
31
Q

What is the diagnosis if there is a positive syphilis PCR, but negative for syphilis serology?

A

Primary syphilis

PCR has high sensitivity and specificity for early syphilis and the serology may not have turned positive yet

32
Q

What might dark ground microscopy show in syphilis?

A

Spirochaetes

33
Q

Match the types of test with the names of the test for syphilis:
Types of test - Screening, confirmation, monitoring
Names of test - RPR, EIA, TPPA

A

Screening test = EIA
Confirmation test = TPPA
Monitoring test = RPR

34
Q

True / False: The EIA and TPPA tests look for levels of antibodies to treponema

A

True

35
Q

True / False: The RPR syphilis test looks for levels of antibodies to treponema

A

False - The RPR test looks for the concentration of the disease and DOES NOT look for antibodies

36
Q

How would you interpret a positive EIA and TPPA but a negative RPR test?

A

Previously treated syphilis

Or early primary syphilis which has not had time for titres to increase yet e.g if exposure in last couple of weeks

37
Q

How long does it take for an RPR test to become positive?

A

About 28 days

38
Q

In a person with previously treated syphilis, how might you know that they have been reinfected with syphilis?

A

A rise in RPR titre of at least 4x

39
Q

What is the treatment for syphilis in penicillin allergy?

A

Doxycycline

40
Q

What is the treatment for syphilis?

A

Penicillin (by IM injection)

41
Q

What is the treatment for syphilis in a pregnant woman who is allergic to penicillin?

A

Penicillin desensitisation is done to allow her to receive the drug, as doxycycline (the usual alternative) is contraindicated in pregnancy

42
Q

What is the Garish-Herxheimer reaction?

A

Sometimes seen following the first dose of treatment for syphilis - Fever, rash, tachycardia. Thought to be due to release of endotoxins following the death of bacteria

43
Q

True / False: EIA negative, TPPA negative, RPR negative in an asymptomatic patient suggests they have never been infected with syphilis

A

True - If they had symptoms it may be that it was early primary syphilis and the serology hadn’t become positive yet, but in the absence of symptoms this is a reassuring test result

44
Q

True / False: RPR 1 in 128, EIA negative, TPPA negative is consistent with tertiary syphilis

A

False - The EIA and TPPA results would have to be positive in this case as they stay positive lifelong. It is not unusual to get false positive results for the RPR titre (e.g. in pregnancy, infection, autoimmune / connective tissue disorders) and so there must be another reason for it’s rise

45
Q

True / False: A change in syphilis RPR titre from 1 in 16 to 1 in 128 means a decrease in the concentration of the infection

A

FALSE - This indicates an increase in concentration of the titres. The increase of >4x suggests active infection

46
Q

Out of syphilis and herpes, which is more likely to result in a single ulcerated lesion, and which is more likely to result in multiple ulcerated lesions?

A
Syphilis = Single lesion
Herpesvirus = Multiple lesions
47
Q

Which are the 3 forms of alpha herpesvirus? Where does the latent form of alpha herpesvirus exist?

A
Alpha herpesviruses:
HHV1 = HSV1
HHV2 = HSV2
HHV3 = Varicella Zoster Virus
The latent form of these viruses exists in sensorineural cells
48
Q

Which are the 3 forms of beta herpesvirus? Where does the latent form of beta herpesvirus exist?

A

Beta herpesviruses:
HHV5 = CMV
HHV6 and 7 = Common, mild childhood infections
The latent form of these viruses exists in monocytes (and T cells if HHV 7)

49
Q

Which are the 2 forms of gamma herpesvirus? Where does the latent form of gamma herpesvirus exist?

A

Gamma herpesviruses:
HHV4 = EBV
HHV8 = Malignancies e.g. Kaposi’s sarcoma
The latent form of these viruses exists in B cells

50
Q

Which ganglion does varicella zoster virus establish latency?

A

Dorsal root ganglion

51
Q

True / False: Herpesvirus always causes symptoms at the first acquisition

A

False - Only a minority of patients will develop symptoms on first acquisition. The first time symptoms manifest is usually as a result of a reactivation (e.g. in times of stress etc.)

52
Q

How do you diagnose herpesvirus?

A

Viral PCR or antigen detection from fluid filled genital lesion

53
Q

When might you do herpesvirus serology testing?

A

If a pregnant woman becomes infected and it’s suspected to be her first infection. You need to know whether she has the antibodies to the infection as if she doesn’t this might change the birth plan.

54
Q

Does the partner of an individual infected with genital herpesvirus need to be tested?

A

No - The partner does not need testing or treating unless they are symptomatic

55
Q

What are the 3 stages of lymphogranuloma vererum infection?

A

Primary i.e. transient genital ulceration: Ulcers appear at site of infection (usually a single, painless lesion)
Secondary i.e. inguinal or anorectal syndrome: 2-6 wks after primary, inguinal / femoral lymphadenopathy (painful)
Tertiary i.e. genitor-anorectal syndrome: Years after primary infection if untreated, lymphatic obstruction and genital lymphoedema

56
Q

What is the causative agent of donovanosis?

A

Klebsiella granulomatis

57
Q

Which virus causes molluscum contagiosum?

A

Poxvirus

58
Q

What is asymptomatic shedding?

A

Relevant with the herpes virus infection - Patients can still pass on the virus to contacts even if they are asymptomatic at the time, especially if there is broken skin. All patients with HSV infection should be advised to use risk reduction measures e.g. condoms.

59
Q

What is the treatment for genital herpes?

A
1st episode:
- Oral antivirals i.e. acyclovir for 5 days can reduce the time course of the episode
- Salt bathing
- Topical anaesthetics
Recurrence:
- May be mild so treatment not required
- Short course of antivirals
60
Q

Where does the rash classically affect in secondary syphilis

A

Torso
Palms of hands
Soles of feet

61
Q

What is the treatment for neurosyphilis?

A

Procaine penicillin and probenecid for 17 days, or high dose doxycycline 200mg BD

62
Q

What is the treatment for cardiovascular syphilis or gummata syphilis?

A

3 doses of IM benzathine (weekly) or doxycycline 100mg BD for 28 days

63
Q

What are the features of gummata syphilis?

A

Necrotic skin

Bone / visceral fibrous tumour-like lumps

64
Q

What are the features of cardiovascular syphilis?

A

Heart failure
Angina
Aortic aneurysm