Bacteria Genomes - HAEMOPHILUS DUCREYI

Haemophilus ducreyi, was first described by Ducrey in 1889. It is a small, nonmotile, Gram-negative coccoid-bacillary rod predominantly located in the extra cellular spaces whose only natural host is human. H. ducreyi is a fastidious organism, requiring stringent conditions for a successful growth in vitro. Although classified in the genus Haemophilus, 16S Ribosomal sequence data indicates that H. ducreyi and H. influenzae are distantly related members of the Pasteurellaceae family

Haemophilus ducreyi is a major cause of human genital ulcer disease (chancroid) in developing countries (incidence being highest in African, Asian and Latin American nations). Until the 1980's, chancroid was believed to be of little medical importance, now, however, it has been recognised that the genital ulcers of chancroid have been epidemiologically associated with sexual transmission of HIV virus. In the past decade, outbreaks in major United States' cities (including New York) have been associated with populations with a high incidence of HIV-1 infection. Co-existent infection with other organisms e.g. Herpes simplex, Treponema pallidum and Chlamydia trachomatis is common.

Chancroid (pronounced shang-kroid, from the French chancre , meaning tumour or cancer) is a genital ulcer disease that is spread by sexual contact. It affects both males and females but is more prevalent in males by a ratio of 3:1 up to 25:1. The disease presents itself by the appearance of painful open sores on the genitals, sometimes accompanied by swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin. Symptoms in women are often less noticeable. Incubation period ranges from 1 to 7 days. Usually the lesion appears 2-3 days after exposure, but it may be up to a month

Treatment with antibiotics can cure the infection, although strains resistant to ampicillin and penicillin are becoming more prevalent.

References:

http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/sequenced_genomes/genome_guide_p2.shtml
http://www.microbial-pathogenesis.org/h.ducreyi/
http://www.hkmj.org.hk/skin/chancroi.htm