30th April 2024

A 30-year-old woman presents with painful genital ulcers and dysuria for 4 days.

A 30-year-old woman presents with painful genital ulcers and dysuria for 4 days. She reports no recent new sexual partners. On examination, there are several small, clustered vesicles on an erythematous base around the vulva. She has tender inguinal lymphadenopathy.

Investigations:

Pulse Rate: 80 bpm

Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg

Physical Examination: Clustered vesicles on erythematous base around the vulva, tender inguinal lymph nodes

Which is the most appropriate diagnostic investigation?