Granuloma inguinale

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Skin layers

Granuloma inguinale is a sexually-transmitted disease that is rarely seen in the United States. It causes surface destruction and granuloma formation in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Donovanosis

Granuloma inguinale is a bacterial disease caused by the organism Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. The disease is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas 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 affected more than twice as often as women, with most infections occurring in people aged 20-40 years. 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 infected men and women have lesions in the anal area.

Review Date: 06/17/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.