What is Donovanosis?
Donovanosis, also known as Granuloma Inguinale, is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Klebsiella granulomatis. It is transmitted through sexual contact but is not highly contagious. It is rare in most parts of the world but is endemic in some tropical and subtropical regions.
The disease is characterized by destructive, painless ulcers on the genitals. It is sometimes referred to as a "flesh-eating" STI because the lesions can slowly destroy the affected tissue if left untreated.
Symptoms of Donovanosis
The symptoms of Donovanosis appear from one to 12 weeks after infection. Key signs include:
- The appearance of painless, beefy-red, velvety nodules or ulcers on the genitals, anus, or mouth.
- These ulcers bleed easily when touched.
- The sores slowly grow and expand, destroying the surrounding tissue.
- Unlike other STIs with ulcers, Donovanosis does not typically cause the lymph nodes in the groin to swell (lymphadenopathy).
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is confirmed by examining a tissue sample from the ulcer under a microscope. The presence of characteristic "Donovan bodies" inside cells confirms the diagnosis.
Donovanosis is curable with antibiotics. The recommended treatment is a course of:
- Azithromycin for at least 3 weeks, and until all lesions have completely healed.
- Other antibiotics like Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, or Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can also be used.
Early treatment is crucial to prevent significant tissue damage and scarring. Sexual partners from the last 60 days should also be examined and offered treatment.