Donovanosis

Donovanosis is caused by the bacterium Calymmatobacterium granulomatis producing granulomatous lesions on the genitals that are usually red, beefy and painless.

Granuloma inguinale was one of the common names previously used for donovanosis. However, inguinal lesions occur in only 10-15% of cases and are usually associated with concurrent genital lesions.

In Australia, infection occurs most commonly in Aborigines, or in partners of Aborigines.

Typically, genital donovanosis presents as painless, red beefy granulomatous lesions on the genitals. Labial swelling is a common complication in females, often referred to as pseudo-elephantiasis in more severe cases.

Pudendal donovanosis lesions may occur, and are usually red (in contrast to the pale condylomata lata of secondary syphilis).

Extragenital lesions can be life threatening when bones and viscera are involved. Oral lesions are probably the most common extragenital lesions and may be red, granular and bleed easily.

Transmission is predominantly by the sexual route. There is potential for spread by autoinoculation or "kissing lesions" which form from direct contact of skin with an adjacent lesion. Extragenital skin lesions can occur by transmission from concurrent genital lesions via fingers or other nonsexual contact. Infants born to infected mothers may acquire infection at birth.

The wide range of infection in sexual partners (0.4-52%) can be explained by a long incubation period (up to 1 year) and relatively low infectivity of C.granulomatis.