Non-sexually transmitted infections

Question 1

Which organisms are responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush)

Answer 1

Candida albicans

Candida glabreta

Question 2

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Answer 2

Caused by an imbalance of bacteria rather than a specific infection

Question 3

What is balanitis/posthitis? Which organism is most commonly responsible?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the glans and foreskin

Candida sp

Question 4

What is tinea cruris? Which organisms are more commonly responsible?

Answer 4

Pruritic, ringed lesions over crural fold and inner thigh/groin
Dermatophytes e.g. trichophytonrubrum

Question 5

What is erythrasma? Which organism is most commonly responsible?

Answer 5

Skin infection; scaling, fissuring, irregular but marginated pink/brown patches with fine scaling.
Corynebacterium minutisimum

Question 6

Give four normal “symptoms” of the genitalia

Answer 6

Fox-fordyce spots on glans/vulva
Vulval papillomotosis (not actually warts)
Penile pearly papules (coronal papillae)
Tyson’s glands either side of frenulum

Question 7

What complications can be associated with bacterial vaginosis?

Answer 7

Endometriosis
Premature labour
Increased risk of HIV acquisition

Question 8

What is Zoon’s balanitis?

Answer 8

Inflammation of the glans penis due to plasma cell infiltration. Usually caused by an overgrowth of commensal organisms plus foreskin malfunction.
Presents as a solitary, smooth, shiny, red-orange plaque of the glans.

Question 9

What is a major (but rare) potential complication of Zoon’s balanitis?

Answer 9

Small chance of developing squamous cell carcinoma