[The reappearance of chancroid in Algeria]

After 35 observations of the chancroid observed in the department of dermato-venereology of the University Hospital of Tlemcen (West Algeria) from August 1988 to December 1991, we are led to analyze the flare of this sexual transmitted disease. The principal affected subjects are single male no older than 30 years, having had sexual intercourse with prostitutes (30/35). Less than 10 days (19/29) after the sexual contacts, the ulcer appears, and most often unique (25/35), mildly painful, accompanied frequently by adenopathies (31/35). The contamination took place mainly in Bel Abbès--city located at 90 km from Tlemcen--(12 cases), in Tlemcen (4 cases) and Morocco (5 cases). The treatment based on sulfonamides, erythromycin and tetracycline or doxycycline, has been constantly efficient. No concomitant HIV infection has been revealed. The chancroid is the first STD observed in our department in 1991, and also, the first cause for genital ulcer.