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Granuloma inguinale   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Donovanosis

Definition:

In the United States granuloma inguinale is a rarely encountered sexually-transmitted disease that results in surface destruction and granuloma formation in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Causes and Risks

Granuloma inguinale is a bacterial disease caused by the organism Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. The disease is commonly found (endemic) in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world (such as Southeast India, Guyana, and New Guinea), but it occurs on occasion in the United States (typically in the Southeast). There are approximately 100 cases reported per year in the United States.

Men are more often affected than women, with a ratio of 2.5 to 1. Peak incidence occurs between 20 and 40 years old. The disease is seldom seen in children or the elderly. It is thought that anal intercourse, rather than vaginal intercourse, is the most frequent source of infection. About 50% of the infected men and women have lesions in the anal area also.

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