Etiology of genital ulcerations in Swaziland

The etiology of genital ulcer disease was determined among 155 consecutive new cases in Mbabane, Swaziland. In contrast to genital ulcerations in industrialized countries, chancroid was the most common diagnosis (44% of cases), as established on clinical grounds and by exclusion of other etiologies. Primary syphilis and genital herpes accounted for only 17% and 12% of the cases, respectively. Lymphogranuloma venereum was found in 13% of the patients, and in 15% of cases no diagnosis was made.