Granuloma inguinale

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skin layers

Granuloma inguinale

Alternative Names:

Donovanosis
Symptoms:

Small, beefy-red bump on the genitalia or the perianal area that gradually eats away the skin and forms an elevated, beefy-red, velvety nodule (granulation tissue)
These nodules are usually painless and bleed easily if traumatized
Gradual spreading, with erosion and destruction of genital tissue
Spread of disease to the inguinal folds (where the legs meet the torso)
Depigmentation (loss of skin color) of the genitals and surrounding skin
Untreated disease results in mutilation and destruction of the genital tissue.

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In its early stages, it may be difficult to differentiate granuloma inguinale from chancroid. In the later stages, granuloma inguinale may resemble advanced genital cancers, lymphogranuloma venereum, and anogenital cutaneous amebiasis.

Signs and tests:

Classically, the diagnosis of granuloma inguinale should be considered if genital lesions have been present for a long time and have been progressively enlarging. Serological tests such as that used to detect syphilis are available only on a research basis for diagnosing granuloma inguinale.

Tests that may be performed include:

Scrapings or punch biopsy of lesion to provide tissue for microscopic examination
Culture of tissue sample -- difficult to do and not routinely available

References:

Keck JW.Ulcerative Lesions. Clin Fam Pract. 2005 Mar; 7(1); 13-30.

Rackel RE, Bope ET. Granuloma Inguinale. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2005:859.