This STD is also known as inguinal granuloma. It is caused by a bacterium and it is quite frequent in underdeveloped countries. In general, these countries face poor medical assistance; therefore, sometimes this disease just disappears without any treatment. Its main symptoms are ulcers in the genital area, which sometimes can be considered signs of syphilis, by mistake. Nevertheless, final stages of the disease are associated with blood and mucus leakage, triggered by external and internal tissue destruction. As it is an open lesion, it can attract other microbes, which can cause additional infections.



You can think of Donovanosis as of an inflammatory reaction located in the inguinal area, where the person suffering from this disease can as well find some nodules. A researcher called Donovan has discovered some intracellular inclusions created by cells engulfing bacteria. The presence of such Donovan bodies can be a sign of this sexually transmitted disease.

Donovanosis is caused by the bacteria Calymmatobacterium or Klebsiella granulomatis which is shaped like a veil or a hood and found inside the lesions.

The symptoms of this disease do not emerge immediately after a person is exposed to the bacterium. They can develop since the tenth to the fortieth day, through painless nodules. After a few days, the nodules can burst leading to open lesions. The lesions are fleshy and oozing. The infection does not cover an isolated area, but it can spread, destroying the tissue, which is infected. The regions, which can be affected, are the perenial one, the labia, or the penis shaft. Sometimes, the lesions can be located on the cervix or the vaginal wall.

Since the disease can the transferred through direct contact with the wounds, any type of sexual contact with an infected partner should not even be considered.

As soon as you suspect that you have contracted a STD, a visit to your doctor is no longer an option but a must, honestly presenting to him information of your recent sexual activities. Donovanosis can be detected by the type of the ulcer. Tests of cultures or tissue sample could be conducted for accurate diagnosis. Samples should have the Donovan bodies. The primary method of diagnosis is the presence of Donovan bodies in the tissue sample by biopsy. Other tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques using a colorimetric detection system can also be done but these tests are not always normally available.

Donovanosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics within 12 weeks of treatment. After a week of treatment, the infection may show signs of healing. However, treatment should be continued until the wounds are completely healed, otherwise, infection might recur.

Donovanosis rarely happens in progressive countries. Infection is normally acquired from foreign travel and having sex with an infected partner from an endemic area. If it cannot be helped, STD tests should be done even before thinking of engaging in any sexual activities. STD tests should also be done after the travel to be certain that you are not infected and consequently be a carrier of the disease. It is your moral obligation to make sure that you will not be the cause of spreading the disease to other unsuspecting people.