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Rapid control of a chancroid outbreak: implications for Canada
1Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
Summary
A 1987 Winnipeg chancroid outbreak involved 14 individuals. A single clone of Haemophilus ducreyi bacteria, identified by its plasmid, was likely responsible for the epidemic.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi.
- An unusual outbreak of chancroid occurred in Winnipeg, Canada, between June and November 1987.
- This was the first reported outbreak in the region in over a decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology and control of a chancroid outbreak in Winnipeg.
- To investigate the causative agent and transmission dynamics of the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Case finding and confirmation through laboratory culture.
- Implementation of a control strategy including presumptive antimicrobial therapy and contact tracing.
- Molecular analysis of Haemophilus ducreyi isolates to identify common genetic markers.
Main Results:
- Fourteen cases of chancroid were identified (9 males, 5 females).
- Nine cases were culture-confirmed; isolates shared the same plasmid.
- A control strategy involving presumptive treatment and contact management was implemented.
Conclusions:
- The outbreak was likely caused by a single clone of Haemophilus ducreyi, indicated by identical plasmid profiles.
- Despite control measures, the outbreak's origin and complete epidemiologic links remained undetermined.
- Effective public health interventions are crucial for managing sexually transmitted infection outbreaks.