A 25-year-old man presents with a painless ulcer on the glans penis with indurated margins for 3 weeks. Inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged but non-tender. Dark field microscopy of the serous discharge shows motile spirochetes. What is this primary lesion called?
- A Hunterian chancre ✓
- B Chancroid
- C Lymphogranuloma venereum
- D Granuloma inguinale
Correct answer: A. Hunterian chancre
Explanation
The primary lesion of syphilis is called the Hunterian chancre, a painless, indurated ulcer with clean-cut margins, occurring at the site of inoculation with Treponema pallidum. It is associated with painless regional lymphadenopathy (sentinel node). Dark field microscopy demonstrating the characteristic corkscrew-motile spirochetes confirms the diagnosis. The painlessness of both the ulcer and lymphadenopathy distinguishes syphilis from painful chancroid caused by Haemophilus ducreyi.
Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.