Infections of the perianal region

Abstract

The proximity of gynecologic and urologic organs to the colon, rectum and anus, can result in a disease process, or complication originating in one organ system and affecting the other.The perianal skin tends to itch. Skin changes may be characteristic and may be masked by excoriation caused by scratching and secondary infection.Pruritus ani has many causes (eg, dermatologic disorders, allergic reactions, diabetes mellitus, proctologic disorders, etc.).Sexually transmitted disease (STD) incidence rates remain high in most of the world.In 1995, worldwide incidence of gonorrhea was estimated at >250 million cases. Non-specific urethritis, trichomoniasis, chlamydial infections, genital and anorectal herpes and warts, pediculosis pubis, and molluscum contagiosum are probably more prevalent than the five historically defined venereal diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale.However, the latter diseases are more consistently reported, and reliable incidence rates for the others are not available.Accurate diagnosis and therapy of STDs of the anorectum are difficult due to the fact that patients often harbor more than one organism.A strong association between cervical cancer and sexually transmitted papillomaviruses exists.