Granuloma inguinale

Granuloma inguinale, also known as Donovanosis, is a sexually transmitted genital ulcerative disease caused by the bacteria Klebsiella granulomatis, and can affect both men and women. The disease is rare in Europe; the main foci in recent times appear to be in some tropical and developing countries.

The genitals are affected in 90% of cases and the groin area in 10%. The usual sites of infection are in men, the prepuce, coronal sulcus, frenum and glans penis and in women, the labia minora and fourchette.

The disease presents clinically as painless, slowly progressive ulcerative lesions on the genitals or perineum without regional lymphadenopathy; subcutaneous granulomas (pseudobuboes) also might occur. The lesions are highly vascular (i.e., beefy red appearance) and bleed.

Granuloma inguinale can be treated with antibiotics, prolonged treatment is usually required.

Last updated: 20 August 2019