NAME: Haemophilus ducreyi
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Chancroid, Ulcus molle, soft chancre; the Ducreyi bacillus
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacilli; cell wall contains lipooligosaccharide; bipolar staining; non-spore forming
PATHOGENICITY: Acute bacterial infection usually localized in the genital area; characterized by single or multiple painful necrotizing ulcers in the genital area, accompanied by a painful inflammation, swelling and suppuration of regional lymph nodes (inguinal adenitis); extragenital lesions have been documented
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Occurs more often in males; prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world; chancroid ulcers are associated with increased risk of HIV; uncircumcised are at higher risk of infection; some endemic transmission in migrant farm workers
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Direct sexual contact with discharges from open lesions and pus from buboes; auto-inoculation to non-genital sites may occur
INCUBATION PERIOD: From 3 - 5 days, up to 14 days
COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable until infectious agent persists in the original lesion or discharging regional lymph nodes; can last weeks to months without antibiotic treatment
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to ceftriaxone, erthromycin, co-trimoxazole, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodophor, povidone-iodine
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: 121° C for 15 minutes
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to drying
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm bacteriologically
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer antibiotic therapy; fluctuant inguinal nodes should be aspirated through intact skin to prevent spontaneous rupture
IMMUNIZATION: None available
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: One reported by Trees et al. in 1992
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Lesion exudates
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for all activities involving the bacteria or potentially infectious tissues and body fluids
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: General needle safety precautions are important; do not recap, break or bend needles; discard used needles directly into a puncture-proof container
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
Date prepared: April, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001
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