Amebic penile ulceration is a rare condition that needs to be distinguished from other causes of genital ulceration.
Risk factors for infection:
(1) anal intercourse, with rectal amebiasis in receptive partner
(2) female genital amebiasis
Clinical features:
(1) penile ulceration often with a foul-smelling discharge
(2) balanitis (inflammation of glans penis)
(3) urethral discharge and/or dysuria
(4) penile pain
(5) regional lymphadenopathy
The diagnosis may be made by:
(1) identification of trophozoites in smear or histologic section
(2) PCR
(3) culture
Differential diagnosis:
(1) squamous cell carcinoma
(2) cutaneous leishmaniasis
(3) tuberculosis
(4) syphilis
(5) chancroid
(6) lymphogranuloma venereum
Complications:
(1) necrotizing infections
(2) penile tissue loss
Associations:
(1) HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs)
